How do you calculate total displacement?
GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer
To calculate total displacement:
- For straight-line motion: Subtract the initial position from the final position
- For motion in multiple directions: Use vector addition. Break each displacement into components (x and y directions), add all x-components together and all y-components together, then use the Pythagorean theorem: Total displacement = √(Δx² + Δy²)
- From a velocity-time graph: Calculate the area under the curve, considering areas above the time axis as positive and below as negative
What does a = (v - u)/t represent?
This is the formula for acceleration, where:
- a = acceleration
- v = final velocity
- u = initial velocity
- t = time taken
It calculates the rate of change of velocity over time. If you rearrange this formula, you get v = u + at, which is one of the fundamental equations of motion used to find displacement and other kinematic quantities.
Suggested Q&A
General · Class 12- GeneralClass 12Electric Field at Centre of Ring with Non-Uniform Charge Distribution. Four quadrants carry linear charge densities: +2λ, −2λ, +λ, −λ. Find electric field at centre.
- GeneralClass 12P°(hexane) = 408 Torr, P°(heptane) = 141 Torr. x(hexane) = 0.300. Find Y₆ and Y₇.
- GeneralClass 122N₂O₅(g) → 4NO₂(g) + O₂(g). Initial P = 50 mmHg; P at 30 min = 87.5 mmHg. Find P at 60 min.
- GeneralClass 12What is the difference between psychosis and neurosis?
- GeneralClass 12What is the difference between prism and a pyramid?
- GeneralClass 12What is the difference between phrase and clause?