Displacement

Definition

Displacement is a vector quantity that refers to the change in position of an object. It is measured as the straight-line distance from the initial to the final position, along with the direction.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Displacement is different from distance; displacement considers direction while distance does not.
2. The SI unit for displacement is meters (m).
3. Displacement can be positive, negative, or zero depending on the direction of motion.
4. It can be represented graphically using vectors on a coordinate system.
5. When calculating displacement, only the initial and final positions matter, not the path taken.

Review Questions

• What distinguishes displacement from distance?
• How do you represent displacement in terms of vectors?
• Why can displacement be zero even if an object has traveled some distance?

Related terms

Vector:

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction. Examples include displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

Scalar:

A quantity that has only magnitude and no direction. Examples include distance, speed, and mass.

Average Velocity:

The total displacement divided by the total time taken. It is a vector quantity.