Definition Of Displacement

Displacement of an object with respect to an initial point is defined as the vector distance from the initial point to the final point.

More About Displacement

Displacement is a vector quantity as it has both magnitude and direction.

Example of Displacement

The distance between four different points is shown in the figure. A car starts moving from A, reaches to B, C, D, and finally stops at A. The total distance covered in this case is 40 km, but displacement is 0.

Video Examples: Acceleration and Displacement
 

Solved Example on Displacement

Ques: FBen traveled from A to B. Again he started to travel back from B to A and reached the position C. What was the displacement?

Choices:

A. 13 km
B. 7 km
C. 27 km
D. 20 km
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Step 1: We have to find the displacement from A to C. 
Step 2: Distance between A and B = 20 km. 
Step 3: Distance between B and C = 7 km.
Step 4: Distance between A and C = 20 - 7 = 13 km.
Step 5: So, the displacement was 13 km.

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