Displacement is the change in position of an object: where Δ x is displacement, x f is the final position, and x 0 is the initial position. In this text the upper case Greek letter Δ (delta) always means “change in” whatever quantity follows it; thus, Δ x means change in position.

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Displacement. If an object moves relative to a frame of reference—for example, if a professor moves to the right relative to a whiteboard Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\)—then the object’s position changes. This change in position is called displacement. The word displacement implies that an object has moved, or has been displaced.

Displacement is the change in position of an object: where Δx Δ x is displacement, xf x f is the final position, and x0 x 0 is the initial position. In this text the upper case Greek letter Δ Δ (delta) always means “change in” whatever quantity follows it; thus, Δx Δ x means change in position.

Displacement is the change in position of an object. In symbols, displacement \(\displaystyle Δx\) is defined to be \(\displaystyle Δx=x_f−x_0\), where \(\displaystyle x_0\) is the initial position and xf is the final position. In this text, the Greek letter \(\displaystyle Δ\) (delta) always means “change in” whatever quantity follows it.

Define position, displacement, and distance traveled. Calculate the total displacement given the position as a function of time. Determine the total distance traveled. Calculate the average velocity given the displacement and elapsed time. When you’re in motion, the basic questions to ask are: Where are you? Where are you going?

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.

Calculate displacement and distance given initial position, final position, and the path between the two. 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.

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 is the change in position of an object. In symbols, displacement is defined to be; where is the initial position and is the final position. In this text, the Greek letter (delta) always means “change in” what ever quantity follows it. The SI unit for displacement is the meter (m). Displacement has a direction as well as a ...