Displacement Formula:
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The displacement formula calculates the distance traveled by an object under constant acceleration. It provides the total displacement from the starting point based on initial velocity, acceleration, and time elapsed.
The calculator uses the displacement formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula accounts for both the distance covered due to initial velocity and the additional distance due to constant acceleration over time.
Details: Accurate displacement calculation is crucial for analyzing motion in physics, engineering applications, vehicle dynamics, and various mechanical systems where position change needs to be determined.
Tips: Enter time in seconds, initial velocity in m/s, and acceleration in m/s². All values must be valid numerical inputs with time greater than zero.
Q1: What's the difference between distance and displacement?
A: Distance is the total path length traveled, while displacement is the straight-line distance from start to end point with direction.
Q2: Can this formula be used for non-constant acceleration?
A: No, this formula only applies when acceleration is constant. For variable acceleration, integration methods are required.
Q3: What if initial velocity is zero?
A: If initial velocity is zero, the formula simplifies to \( d = \frac{1}{2} \times a \times n^2 \).
Q4: How does negative acceleration affect displacement?
A: Negative acceleration (deceleration) reduces the displacement. The object may even reverse direction if deceleration is sufficient.
Q5: What are typical units for this calculation?
A: Standard SI units are meters for displacement, seconds for time, m/s for velocity, and m/s² for acceleration.