Displacement is regarded to be the shortest distance from initial point to final point. Let us discuss whether displacement is continuous or discrete.
Displacement is a continuous data type because displacement has values which is measurable on infinite scale. For example, length. In geometry, displacement is said to be the vector.
Let us discuss in this article whether the displacement is continuous or discrete, why it is continuous and examples with problems using several facts that provide us the information.
Why displacement is continuous quantity?
Continuous quantity is the one where the numeric values like, decimal, fractions and so on. Let us find out why displacement is a continuous quantity.
Displacement is a continuous quantity because it holds negative, non-countable, and infinite values. Since continuous quantity does not consist of discrete values it is often used to determine the weather forecast, weights, temperature, speed, and so on.
Continuous data type has major application in athletics where the timing of the sprinter is determined each day and the values are noted to be 5.79, 5.81, and so on. So, this example shows clearly that continuous quantity can be calculated in terms of decimals.
Example of displacement as continuous quantity
Continuous quantity is mainly regarded to hold random values and sometimes which always is or not whole numbers depending upon the data. Let us see a few examples of continuous quantity.
Temperature
Temperature comes under the continuous quantity as it takes up values which are whole numbers and fractions too. For instance, the temperature of a human body is 37°C and the temperature conversion from Celsius to Kelvin is noted to be K = C + 273.15.
Speed of wind
Speed of the wind is measured by an instrument called an anemometer and the values result in the form of continuous data type since they are random and sometimes given in terms of decimal numbers. Normal wind speed is considered to be 40.52 mph.
Why displacement is always follow straight line?
In terms of measurement, a straight line reveals the length covered by a particular action or a line traced by a point. Let us see the facts of why displacement is a straight line.
Displacement always follows a straight line because it is the brief and direct distance between two given points. A straight line sets forth no change in direction as the curved path is regarded to change the direction along with the length.
How to measure displacement of an object in a motion?
Displacement measures the length of a motion from one end to another end. Let us find out the displacement of the object in a motion.
Measurement of displacement of an object in a motion for a straight path is given by the formula, Displacement= Final point – Initial point = Change in point. Let us say initial point is x1 and final point is x2, so the change in point is Δx, and the formal goes like this, Δx= x2-x1.
Displacement for a circular motion, known as angular displacement is given by, ϴ=s /r radians. Where s is the displacement and r is the radius.
Problems based on Displacement
Problem:
Megna goes around a circular track that has a diameter of 9m. If she runs around the entire track for a distance of 60 m, what is her angular displacement?
Solution:
Linear displacement, s = 50 m.
Also, the diameter of the curved path, d = 9 m
As we know that, d = 2r, so r = 9/2= 4.5 m
And according to the formula for angular displacement,
θ = 60m /4.5 m θ = 13.33 radians
Conclusion:
Displacement is the least amount of area covered by an object in motion. Displacement is subjected to a continuous data type that has random values including integer, non-integer, negative, decimal fraction, and so on. Measurements of displacement have two types, one linear and the angular, each having formula of its own.
Also Read:
- How to find horizontal displacement
- Linear displacement and angular displacement
- Direction of angular displacement
- Examples of displacement
- Can displacement be zero
- What is horizontal displacement
- Can displacement be negative
Hi…I am Keerthana Srikumar, currently pursuing Ph.D. in Physics and my area of specialization is nano-science. I completed my Bachelor’s and Master’s from Stella Maris College and Loyola College respectively. I have a keen interest in exploring my research skills and also have the ability to explain Physics topics in a simpler manner. Apart from academics I love to spend my time in music and reading books.
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