To locate the position in motion or at rest,we need a frame of reference.
Simplest way to choose a frame of reference is to choose three mutually perpendicular axis labelled as X-,Y- and Z- axis
as shown in figure below
More about Frame of reference
We know that we need a frame of reference is needed to locate the position of any object. For that we choose rectangular co-ordinate
system
of three mutually perpendicular axis that are $x$, $y$ and $z$ axis. The point of intersection of these three axes is called
Origin 'O'
and is considered as the Reference Point.
The $x$, $y$ and $z$ co-ordinates describe the position of object with respect to the co-ordinate system.
To measure time , we need a clock.
The co-ordinate system along with a clock constitutes a Frame of reference.
So , the frame of reference is a co-ordinate
system , with a clock w.r.t. which, an observer can describe the position, displacement etc. of an object.
Frames of reference are of two types:-
Inertial frame of reference:- These are the frame of reference in which Newton's First law of Motion is applicable.
Non-Inertial frame of reference:- These are the frame of reference in which , Newton's first law of motion is not applicable
Such system of labelling position of an object is known as rectangular coordinates system
If A(x,y,z) be the position of any point in rectangular co-ordinates system it can be labelled as follows
Point O is the point of intersection of these mutually perpendicular axis and is known as reference point or origin
of frame of reference
To measure a time ,we can also attach a clock with this frame of reference
If any or all co-ordinates of the object under consideration changes with time in this frame of reference then the
object is said to be in a motion w.r.t the frame of the reference otherwise it is at rest
For describing motion in one dimension we need one set of co-ordinates axis i.e only one of X,Y and Z axis
Motion of an object along a straight line is an example of motion in one dimension
For such a motion, any one axis say X-axis may be choose so as to coincide with the path along which object is moving
Position of the object can be measured w.r.t origin O shown in the figure
Position to the right of the origin has positive values and those to the left of origin O has negative values.
Distance and displacement:
In the graph shown below an object is at position P at time t1 and at position R at time t2.
In the time interval from t1 to t2 particle has travelled path PQR and length of the path PQR is the
distance travelled by the object in the time interval t1 to t2
Now connect the initial position of the object P with its final position R through a straight line and we get the displacement
of the object.
Displacement of the object has both magnitude and direction i.e., displacement is a vector quantity.
Magnitude of displacement vector is equal to the length of straight line joining initial and final position and its direction
points from the initial position of object towards its final position.
In contrast to displacement, distance is scalar quantity.
$\text {Distance} \ge \text{magnitude of Displacement}$
Difference between distance and displacement
For a moving particle in a given time interval distance can be many valued function, but displacement
would always be single valued function
Displacement could be positive, negative or zero, but distance would always be positive.
Displacement can decrease with time, but distance can never decrease with time.
Distance is always greater than or equal to the magnitude of displacement.
Distance would be equal to displacement if and only is particle is moving along straight line without any change in direction.
Concept Map on rectilinear motion
Watch this tutorial for more information on Position ,distance and displacement
Solved examples
Question 1
A object moves 8km in North Direction and then 6km in West direction
Find the distance and displacement of the object Solution
Distance=8 km + 6 km =14 km
Displacement is the shortest distance between the two points
From Pythagorous theorem
$D=\sqrt { 8^2 + 6^2}=10$
Question 2
A particle moves from point A to B along the circular path of radius R
Find the distance and displacement of the object Solution
Distance=$\pi R + \frac {\pi R}{2}= \frac {3\pi R}{2}$
Displacement is the shortest distance between the two points
From Pythagorous theorem
$D=\sqrt { R^2 + R^2}=R \sqrt 2$
Summary
Here is the summary of Distance and Displacement in Physics
Distance is the path length traversed by an object between two points
Displacement does not depend on path length and is the shortest distance between the two points
$\text {Distance} \ge \text{magnitude of Displacement}$
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