1. What is the Displacement Equation?

The displacement equation in physics calculates the change in position of an object under constant acceleration. It's derived from the equations of motion and provides the straight-line distance between initial and final positions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the displacement equation:

Where:

• \( \Delta x \) — Displacement (m)
• \( v \) — Initial velocity (m/s)
• \( t \) — Time (s)
• \( a \) — Acceleration (m/s²)

Explanation: This equation calculates the total displacement by combining the distance covered due to initial velocity and the additional distance due to constant acceleration over time.

3. Importance of Displacement Calculation

Details: Displacement calculation is fundamental in kinematics for analyzing motion, predicting positions, and solving various physics problems involving accelerated motion.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter initial velocity in m/s, time in seconds, and acceleration in m/s². Time must be positive. All values can be positive, negative, or zero depending on the direction of motion.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between displacement and distance?
A: Displacement is a vector quantity (magnitude and direction) representing change in position, while distance is a scalar quantity representing total path length traveled.

Q2: Can displacement be negative?
A: Yes, negative displacement indicates motion in the opposite direction of the chosen positive reference direction.

Q3: What if acceleration is zero?
A: With zero acceleration, the equation simplifies to Δx = v × t, representing uniform motion.

Q4: Does this equation work for variable acceleration?
A: No, this equation assumes constant acceleration. For variable acceleration, calculus-based methods are required.

Q5: How is this different from the distance formula?
A: Distance formula calculates total path length, while displacement gives the straight-line distance between start and end points with direction.