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Displacement (x)

Definition

Displacement refers to how far an object has moved from its original position in a particular direction. It takes into account both magnitude (distance) and direction.

Analogy

Imagine you're playing a video game where your character moves around on a grid. Displacement would be like measuring how many squares your character has moved horizontally and vertically from their starting point, regardless of any twists and turns along the way.

Related terms

Distance: Unlike displacement, distance only considers magnitude and not direction. It measures how much ground an object has covered during its motion.

Velocity: Velocity combines displacement with time, giving information about both speed and direction.

Acceleration: Acceleration represents how quickly an object's velocity changes over time. It can be caused by changes in speed or changes in direction.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.