Displacement
The change in position of an object, measured as the straight-line distance and direction from the initial to the final position. A vector quantity (has both magnitude and direction), measured in metres. Displacement is distinct from distance, which is the total path length (scalar).
Formula
s = final position − initial position
Real World
A sprinter in the 400m at the 2024 Paris Olympics runs the full lap but finishes at the same point they started — their distance is 400m, yet their displacement is zero.
Exam Focus
Always state displacement as a magnitude AND direction; omitting direction loses a mark on 'define' questions.
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