Position and Displacement Simulation

Explanation

This simulation helps you understand the difference between Position, Displacement, and Distance Traveled.

• The Origin is your fixed point of reference (the white dot at the center).
• The blue arrow shows the object’s Position Vector. Position is defined by the distance and direction of the object *from the Origin*.
• The gray line tracks the actual Path the object takes as you drag it.
• Click “Set Point A” to mark the starting position for measuring displacement and distance traveled. The object will turn green.
• Click “Set Point B” to mark the ending position for displacement. The object will turn red.
• The green arrow shows the Displacement Vector, drawn directly from Point A to Point B. Displacement is the CHANGE in position, a vector pointing from the initial to the final location, regardless of the path taken.
• Distance Traveled is the total length of the path taken between Point A and the object’s *current* position. It can be greater than the displacement magnitude.

Notice how the Position vector always changes as the object moves, but the Displacement vector only changes when you set Point B to a new location relative to Point A. If you drag the object back to Point A after setting Point B, the Displacement vector will shrink back to zero, even though the Distance Traveled will be non-zero.

Angles are shown in degrees clockwise from North (Up).