Is a position time graph and a displacement time graph the same?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Displacement and position are distinct concepts in physics, as confirmed in the discussion. Displacement refers to the change in position and is defined as a vector quantity that starts at zero, while position can take any value within a reference frame. For instance, an object at rest may have a constant position value, but its displacement remains zero. Therefore, while they may appear similar under certain conditions, they are fundamentally different.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vector quantities in physics
  • Familiarity with reference frames
  • Basic knowledge of kinematics
  • Concept of absolute value in mathematics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the differences between scalar and vector quantities in physics
  • Explore kinematic equations and their applications
  • Learn about reference frames and their impact on motion analysis
  • Study graphical representations of motion, including position-time and displacement-time graphs
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching kinematics, and anyone interested in understanding the nuances of motion analysis.

Yashaswi Joshi
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Please tell ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Displacement could be seen as absolute value.
Displacement probably has to start at zero, while position can start elsewhere.

It will depend on who uses those words in which way.
 
No, they are not. For example, if an object is at rest in the reference frame, the displacement is a constant zero whereas the position can be any constant value.
Displacement represent the change in position so they are different thing, in principle. They may happen to look the same if the original position is the origin of the coordinate system.
 

Similar threads

High School Kinematic equations ##\textbf{purely}## from graphs
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
4K
Undergrad Quick Question about Pendulum Graphs
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
7K
High School Rubber band force-extension graph
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Graduate Displacement graph of an orbiting body
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Units of a vector in a velocity vs time graph?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Undergrad Position vs. time graph and the derivative
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Undergrad Is Speed Determined by the Shape of a Positive Curved Time vs Distance Graph?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Undergrad Calculating phase shift between two sinusoidal waves
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Voltage vs Distance graph for a given E vs D graph
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
Undergrad Instantaneous velocity - displacement and distance
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K