Position, Distance, Displacement SS1 Physics Lesson Note
Download Lesson NoteTopic: Position, Distance, Displacement
POSITION
Position is referred to as the point at which an object can be located or the place the object is found. The position of an object on a plane can be given by its co-ordinates, i.e., the signed distances of the point from two perpendicular axes, OX and OY

The x-coordinate is called abscissa while the y- y-coordinate is called ordinate. The co-ordinate is written first, before the  co-ordinates, i.e. (X, Y)Â
DISTANCE AND DISPLACEMENT
Distance: This is the gap between any two positions in space. It is denoted by S and measured in metres (m)Â it is a scalar quantity and is calculated as the product of average speed and time.
Thus, distance = average speed X time. Â
Displacement: This is the distance covered in a specific direction. it is a vector quantity measured in metres (m). The direction of motion of bodies can be found by using the compass.
Displacement = average velocity X time. It is denoted by XÂ
The Use of Bearing to Indicate Direction and Displacement
The bearing of an object from the origin is the angle which it makes with the north pole in the clockwise sense. It is specified in two ways:
The use of cardinal points: NÂ North, SÂ South, WÂ West, and EÂ East
The use of three-digit notation. Students should note that bearings which are located by cardinal points are with respect or reference to the North and South.
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