1. What is Total Displacement?

Total displacement is the vector sum of all individual displacements. It represents the overall change in position of an object, considering both magnitude and direction of each movement.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the displacement summation formula:

Where:

• \( d_i \) — Individual displacement values (meters)
• \( n \) — Number of displacements

Explanation: The calculator adds up all the displacement values you provide to determine the net displacement.

3. Importance of Displacement Calculation

Details: Calculating total displacement is essential in physics for determining an object's final position relative to its starting point, which is different from total distance traveled.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter displacement values separated by commas (e.g., "5, -3, 2"). Positive values indicate one direction, negative values the opposite direction.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between distance and displacement?
A: Distance is the total path length traveled (always positive), while displacement is the change in position (can be positive, negative, or zero).

Q2: Can displacement be zero when distance isn't?
A: Yes, if an object returns to its starting point, displacement is zero even if distance traveled is positive.

Q3: How does direction affect displacement?
A: Direction is accounted for by using positive and negative values for opposite directions.

Q4: What units should I use?
A: The calculator uses meters, but any consistent unit can be used as long as all values are in the same unit.

Q5: How precise are the results?
A: Results are rounded to 2 decimal places for clarity.