Position Physics Example 1

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 1

easy

An object starts at position

x = 3 \text{ m}

and moves to

x = 11 \text{ m}

along a straight line. What is the object's displacement?

Solution

1
Position is a specific location on a coordinate axis. The initial position is $x_i = 3 \text{ m}$ and the final position is $x_f = 11 \text{ m}$ .
2
Displacement is the change in position: $\Delta x = x_f - x_i = 11 - 3 = 8 \text{ m}$
3
The displacement is $8 \text{ m}$ in the positive direction.

Answer

\Delta x = 8 \text{ m}

Position describes where an object is located relative to a chosen origin. Displacement is the change in position and is independent of the path taken between the two positions.

About Position

The location of an object relative to a chosen reference point (origin), described using coordinates in a given reference frame.

Learn more about Position →

More Position Examples

Example 2 medium

A particle's position is given by [formula] (in meters, with [formula] in seconds). What is the part

Example 3 medium

An ant walks from position [formula] to [formula], then back to [formula]. What is the total distanc

Example 4 hard

A particle's position is [formula] (meters). At what times is the particle at position [formula]? Wh

← All Position Examples Position Concept

Related Concepts

Displacement Velocity