How do you calculate displacement and distance and velocity? (science)
Indicate your subject in the "School Subject" box, so those with expertise in the area will respond to the question.
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "calculate displacement and distance and velocity" to get these possible sources:
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=calculate+displacement+and+distance+and+velocity&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search. Also see http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/.
To calculate displacement, distance, and velocity, you'll need to have some basic knowledge of physics. Here's how you can calculate each of these:
1. Displacement: Displacement is the shortest distance between the initial and final positions of an object. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude (size or length) and direction. To calculate displacement, you need to know the initial position and the final position of the object. You subtract the initial position vector from the final position vector to get the displacement vector.
2. Distance: Distance is the total path length covered by an object, without considering its direction. It is a scalar quantity, meaning it has magnitude only. To calculate distance, you need to find the sum of all the individual path lengths that an object has covered.
3. Velocity: Velocity is the rate of change of displacement over time. It is also a vector quantity, as it includes both magnitude (speed) and direction. To calculate velocity, you divide the change or displacement in position by the time taken to cover that displacement.
Here are the respective formulas for each:
1. Displacement (Δx or d): Displacement = Final position vector - Initial position vector
2. Distance (d): Distance = Sum of all individual path lengths
3. Velocity (v): Velocity = Displacement (Δx) / Time taken (Δt)
It's important to note that displacement and distance are different. Displacement relates to the change in position, whereas distance refers to the total length traveled. Velocity depends on displacement, while speed (which is the magnitude of velocity) depends on distance.
When performing these calculations, make sure to use consistent units for distance, time, and velocity to obtain accurate results.