Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Distance above the ground, denoted as "h", refers to how high an object is positioned vertically from a reference point on the Earth's surface.
Related terms
Altitude: Altitude refers to vertical distance measured from sea level or another reference point in relation to Earth's surface.
Elevation: Elevation represents height above or below a fixed reference point, often used when describing landforms such as mountains or valleys.
Height vs Displacement: Height specifically refers to vertical position relative to a reference point, while displacement measures overall change in position regardless of direction.