# 4.1 Displacement and velocity vectors

 Page 1 / 7
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
• Calculate position vectors in a multidimensional displacement problem.
• Solve for the displacement in two or three dimensions.
• Calculate the velocity vector given the position vector as a function of time.
• Calculate the average velocity in multiple dimensions.

Displacement and velocity in two or three dimensions are straightforward extensions of the one-dimensional definitions. However, now they are vector quantities, so calculations with them have to follow the rules of vector algebra, not scalar algebra.

## Displacement vector

To describe motion in two and three dimensions, we must first establish a coordinate system and a convention for the axes. We generally use the coordinates x , y , and z to locate a particle at point P ( x , y , z ) in three dimensions. If the particle is moving, the variables x , y , and z are functions of time ( t ):

$x=x\left(t\right)\phantom{\rule{1em}{0ex}}y=y\left(t\right)\phantom{\rule{1em}{0ex}}z=z\left(t\right).$

The position vector    from the origin of the coordinate system to point P is $\stackrel{\to }{r}\left(t\right).$ In unit vector notation, introduced in Coordinate Systems and Components of a Vector , $\stackrel{\to }{r}\left(t\right)$ is

$\stackrel{\to }{r}\left(t\right)=x\left(t\right)\stackrel{^}{i}+y\left(t\right)\stackrel{^}{j}+z\left(t\right)\stackrel{^}{k}.$

[link] shows the coordinate system and the vector to point P , where a particle could be located at a particular time t . Note the orientation of the x , y , and z axes. This orientation is called a right-handed coordinate system ( Coordinate Systems and Components of a Vector ) and it is used throughout the chapter.

With our definition of the position of a particle in three-dimensional space, we can formulate the three-dimensional displacement. [link] shows a particle at time ${t}_{1}$ located at ${P}_{1}$ with position vector $\stackrel{\to }{r}\left({t}_{1}\right).$ At a later time ${t}_{2},$ the particle is located at ${P}_{2}$ with position vector $\stackrel{\to }{r}\left({t}_{2}\right)$ . The displacement vector     $\text{Δ}\stackrel{\to }{r}$ is found by subtracting $\stackrel{\to }{r}\left({t}_{1}\right)$ from $\stackrel{\to }{r}\left({t}_{2}\right)\text{ }:$

$\text{Δ}\stackrel{\to }{r}=\stackrel{\to }{r}\left({t}_{2}\right)-\stackrel{\to }{r}\left({t}_{1}\right).$

Vector addition is discussed in Vectors . Note that this is the same operation we did in one dimension, but now the vectors are in three-dimensional space.

The following examples illustrate the concept of displacement in multiple dimensions.

## Polar orbiting satellite

A satellite is in a circular polar orbit around Earth at an altitude of 400 km—meaning, it passes directly overhead at the North and South Poles. What is the magnitude and direction of the displacement vector from when it is directly over the North Pole to when it is at $-45\text{°}$ latitude?

## Strategy

We make a picture of the problem to visualize the solution graphically. This will aid in our understanding of the displacement. We then use unit vectors to solve for the displacement.

## Solution

[link] shows the surface of Earth and a circle that represents the orbit of the satellite. Although satellites are moving in three-dimensional space, they follow trajectories of ellipses, which can be graphed in two dimensions. The position vectors are drawn from the center of Earth, which we take to be the origin of the coordinate system, with the y -axis as north and the x -axis as east. The vector between them is the displacement of the satellite. We take the radius of Earth as 6370 km, so the length of each position vector is 6770 km.

definition of inertia
the reluctance of a body to start moving when it is at rest and to stop moving when it is in motion
charles
An inherent property by virtue of which the body remains in its pure state or initial state
Kushal
why current is not a vector quantity , whereas it have magnitude as well as direction.
why
daniel
the flow of current is not current
fitzgerald
bcoz it doesn't satisfy the algabric laws of vectors
Shiekh
The Electric current can be defined as the dot product of the current density and the differential cross-sectional area vector : ... So the electric current is a scalar quantity . Scalars are related to tensors by the fact that a scalar is a tensor of order or rank zero .
Kushal
what is binomial theorem
what is binary operations
Tollum
What is the formula to calculat parallel forces that acts in opposite direction?
position, velocity and acceleration of vector
hi
peter
hi
daniel
hi
Vedisha
*a plane flies with a velocity of 1000km/hr in a direction North60degree east.find it effective velocity in the easterly and northerly direction.*
imam
hello
Lydia
hello Lydia.
Sackson
What is momentum
isijola
hello
A rail way truck of mass 2400kg is hung onto a stationary trunk on a level track and collides with it at 4.7m|s. After collision the two trunk move together with a common speed of 1.2m|s. Calculate the mass of the stationary trunk
I need the solving for this question
philip
is the eye the same like the camera
I can't understand
Suraia
Josh
I think the question is that ,,, the working principal of eye and camera same or not?
Sardar
yes i think is same as the camera
what are the dimensions of surface tension
samsfavor
why is the "_" sign used for a wave to the right instead of to the left?
why classical mechanics is necessary for graduate students?
classical mechanics?
Victor
principle of superposition?
principle of superposition allows us to find the electric field on a charge by finding the x and y components
Kidus
Two Masses,m and 2m,approach each along a path at right angles to each other .After collision,they stick together and move off at 2m/s at angle 37° to the original direction of the mass m. What where the initial speeds of the two particles
MB
2m & m initial velocity 1.8m/s & 4.8m/s respectively,apply conservation of linear momentum in two perpendicular directions.
Shubhrant
A body on circular orbit makes an angular displacement given by teta(t)=2(t)+5(t)+5.if time t is in seconds calculate the angular velocity at t=2s
MB
2+5+0=7sec differentiate above equation w.r.t time, as angular velocity is rate of change of angular displacement.
Shubhrant
Ok i got a question I'm not asking how gravity works. I would like to know why gravity works. like why is gravity the way it is. What is the true nature of gravity?
gravity pulls towards a mass...like every object is pulled towards earth
Ashok
An automobile traveling with an initial velocity of 25m/s is accelerated to 35m/s in 6s,the wheel of the automobile is 80cm in diameter. find * The angular acceleration
(10/6) ÷0.4=4.167 per sec
Shubhrant
what is the formula for pressure?
force/area
Kidus
force is newtom
Kidus
and area is meter squared
Kidus
so in SI units pressure is N/m^2
Kidus
In customary United States units pressure is lb/in^2. pound per square inch
Kidus
who is Newton?
scientist
Jeevan
a scientist
Peter
that discovered law of motion
Peter
ok
John
but who is Isaac newton?
John
a postmodernist would say that he did not discover them, he made them up and they're not actually a reality in itself, but a mere construct by which we decided to observe the word around us
elo
how?
Qhoshe
Besides his work on universal gravitation (gravity), Newton developed the 3 laws of motion which form the basic principles of modern physics. His discovery of calculus led the way to more powerful methods of solving mathematical problems. His work in optics included the study of white light and
Daniel
and the color spectrum
Daniel