# 2.1 Displacement

 Page 1 / 7
• Define position, displacement, distance, and distance traveled.
• Explain the relationship between position and displacement.
• Distinguish between displacement and distance traveled.
• Calculate displacement and distance given initial position, final position, and the path between the two.

## Position

In order to describe the motion of an object, you must first be able to describe its position    —where it is at any particular time. More precisely, you need to specify its position relative to a convenient reference frame. Earth is often used as a reference frame, and we often describe the position of an object as it relates to stationary objects in that reference frame. For example, a rocket launch would be described in terms of the position of the rocket with respect to the Earth as a whole, while a professor’s position could be described in terms of where she is in relation to the nearby white board. (See [link] .) In other cases, we use reference frames that are not stationary but are in motion relative to the Earth. To describe the position of a person in an airplane, for example, we use the airplane, not the Earth, as the reference frame. (See [link] .)

## Displacement

If an object moves relative to a reference frame (for example, if a professor moves to the right relative to a white board or a passenger moves toward the rear of an airplane), then the object’s position changes. This change in position is known as displacement    . The word “displacement” implies that an object has moved, or has been displaced.

## Displacement

Displacement is the change in position of an object:

$\text{Δ}x={x}_{\text{f}}-{x}_{0},$

where $\text{Δ}x$ is displacement, ${x}_{\text{f}}$ is the final position, and ${x}_{0}$ is the initial position.

In this text the upper case Greek letter $\text{Δ}$ (delta) always means “change in” whatever quantity follows it; thus, $\text{Δ}x$ means change in position . Always solve for displacement by subtracting initial position ${x}_{0}$ from final position ${x}_{\text{f}}$ .

Note that the SI unit for displacement is the meter (m) (see Physical Quantities and Units ), but sometimes kilometers, miles, feet, and other units of length are used. Keep in mind that when units other than the meter are used in a problem, you may need to convert them into meters to complete the calculation.

what is ohm's law
states that electric current in a given metallic conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference applied between its end, provided that the temperature of the conductor and other physical factors such as length and cross-sectional area remains constant. mathematically V=IR
ANIEFIOK
A body travelling at a velocity of 30ms^-1 in a straight line is brought to rest by application of brakes. if it covers a distance of 100m during this period, find the retardation.
what's acceleration
The change in position of an object with respect to time
Mfizi
Acceleration is velocity all over time
Pamilerin
hi
Stephen
It's not It's the change of velocity relative to time
Laura
Velocity is the change of position relative to time
Laura
acceleration it is the rate of change in velocity with time
Stephen
acceleration is change in velocity per rate of time
Noara
what is ohm's law
Stephen
Ohm's law is related to resistance by which volatge is the multiplication of current and resistance ( U=RI)
Laura
how i don understand
how do I access the Multiple Choice Questions? the button never works and the essay one doesn't either
How do you determine the magnitude of force
mass × acceleration OR Work done ÷ distance
Seema
Which eye defect is corrected by a lens having different curvatures in two perpendicular directions?
acute astigmatism?
the difference between virtual work and virtual displacement
How do you calculate uncertainties
What is Elasticity
using a micro-screw gauge,the thickness of a piece of a A4 white paper is measured to be 0.5+or-0.05 mm. If the length of the A4 paper is 26+or-0.2 cm, determine the volume of the A4 paper in: a). Cubic centimeters b). Cubic meters
what is module
why it is possible for an object(man) to stay on air without falling down?
its impossible, what do you mean exactly?
Ryan
Exactly
Emmanuella
it's impossible
Your
Why is it not possible to stand in air?
bikko
the air molecules are very light enough to oppose the gravitational pull of the earth on the man..... hence, freefall occurs
Arzail
because of gravitational forces
Pamilerin
this mostly occur in space
Stephen
what is physics
no life without physics ....that should tell you something
Exactly
Emmanuella
😎👍
E=MC^2
study of matter and energy and an inter-relation between them.
Minahil
that's how the mass and energy are related in stationery frame
Arzail
Ketucky tepung 10m
firdaus
Treeskin, 6m Cloud gam water 2m Cloud gam white 2m And buur
firdaus
Like dont have but have
firdaus
Two in one
firdaus
Okay
firdaus
DNA card
firdaus
hey am new over hear
Shiwani
War right? My impesilyty again. Don't have INSURAN for me
firdaus
PUSH
firdaus
I give
firdaus
0kay
firdaus
Hear from long
firdaus
Hehehe
firdaus
All physics... Hahahaha
firdaus
Tree skin and two cloud have tokside maybe
firdaus
Sold thing
firdaus
PUSH FIRST. HAHAHAAHA
firdaus
thanks
firdaus
Kinetic energy is the energy due to montion of waves,electrons,atoms, molecule,substances an object s.
Emmanuella
Opjective 0
firdaus
Atom nber 0
firdaus
SOME N
firdaus
10.000m permonth. U use momentom with me
firdaus
hi
Hilal
plz anyone can tell what is meteor and why meteor fall in night? can meteor fall in the day
Hilal
meteor are the glowy (i.e. heated when the enter into our atmosphere) parts of meteoroids. now, meteoroids are the debris resulting from the collision of asteroids or comets. yes, it occurs in daytime too, but due to the daylight, we cant observe it as clearly as in night
Arzail
thank's
Hilal
hello guys
Waka
wich method we use to find the potential on a grounded sphere
Noman
hello
Pamilerin
Physics is the science that studies everything around us from the smallest things like quarks to the biggest things like galaxies. It's simply everything.
Laura
Good day everyone
Divine
It talks mainly about matter with related topics such as forces energy gravity and time. It's amazing
Laura
Hi
Alpha
Physics generally is the study of everything around us.
Steven
physics is the branch of sceince
shafiu
physics is the branch of sceince that deal with motion
shafiu
physics is the branch of sceince that deal with motion &energy
shafiu