Displacement

Definition

Displacement is a vector quantity that refers to the change in position of an object. It has both magnitude and direction, indicating how far and in what direction the object has moved from its initial position.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Displacement is different from distance; displacement considers only the initial and final positions, while distance is the total path traveled.
2. The SI unit for displacement is meters (m).
3. Displacement can be zero even if the distance traveled is non-zero if the object returns to its starting point.
4. It can be represented mathematically as $\Delta x = x_f - x_i$, where $x_f$ is the final position and $x_i$ is the initial position.
5. In a graph of position versus time, displacement corresponds to the vertical difference between two points on the graph.

Review Questions

• How does displacement differ from distance?
• What are the SI units for measuring displacement?
• If an object travels in a circular path and returns to its starting point, what is its displacement?

Related terms

Vector Quantity:

A physical measurement that contains both magnitude and direction.

Distance:

A scalar quantity that measures the total length of the path traveled by an object.

Position:

The specific point or location of an object in a given frame of reference.