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How can displacement be negative, positive or even zero?
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How can displacement be negative, positive or even zero?
Displacement and its Types:
Displacement is a vector quantity that refers to the change in position of an object from its initial position to its final position. It can be negative, positive, or even zero depending on the direction and magnitude of the movement.

Positive Displacement:
When an object moves in a specific direction from its initial position to a new position, the displacement is considered positive. This means that the object has moved in the positive direction along the chosen axis. For example, if a car moves 5 meters to the east from its starting point, the displacement would be +5 meters.

Negative Displacement:
Conversely, if an object moves in the opposite direction from its initial position, the displacement is considered negative. This indicates that the object has moved in the negative direction along the chosen axis. For instance, if the same car moves 3 meters to the west from its starting point, the displacement would be -3 meters.

Zero Displacement:
Zero displacement occurs when an object returns to its initial position after moving. This means that the object has covered a distance but the net change in position is zero. For example, if the car moves 2 meters to the east and then returns 2 meters to the west, the displacement would be 0 meters.
In conclusion, displacement can be negative, positive, or zero depending on the direction and magnitude of the movement relative to the initial position. It is important to consider both the distance covered and the direction of movement when determining the displacement of an object.
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How can displacement be negative, positive or even zero?
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