Concept Library / Kinematics

Displacement

Displacement is the change in position of an object.

In one-dimensional motion:

Δs=sf-si
Full explanation

Displacement is the change in position of an object.

In one-dimensional motion:

Δs=sf-si

Displacement answers: how far and in which direction is the final position from the initial position?

It depends only on the starting and ending positions, not on the path taken between them.

Formula / representation
Δs=sf-si

where:

  • si is the initial position
  • sf is the final position
  • Δs is the displacement

The sign of Δs shows direction according to the chosen sign convention.

Units
m
Common misconceptions
  • Dropping the sign from displacement.
  • Adding all path lengths instead of using final minus initial position.
  • Thinking zero displacement means the object did not move.
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