Displacement Calculator
Solve for displacement using standard physics motion formulas. This tool handles both objects moving at a steady speed and those speeding up or slowing down.
What is displacement in physics?
Displacement is a vector quantity that represents the change in position of an object. Unlike distance, which measures the total path traveled, displacement only cares about the straight-line distance from the starting point to the ending point.
What is the formula for displacement?
For constant acceleration, the formula is s = ut + ½at², where s is displacement, u is initial velocity, a is acceleration, and t is time. For constant velocity (zero acceleration), it simplifies to s = vt.
Can displacement be negative?
Yes. Displacement is a vector, so its sign indicates direction. If you move in the opposite direction of your defined "positive" axis, your displacement will be negative.
What is the difference between displacement and distance?
Distance is a scalar (total path length). Displacement is a vector (shortest path between two points). If you walk 5 meters forward and 5 meters back, your distance is 10 meters, but your displacement is 0.