Why Is S Used for Displacement?

The origin of the symbols for displacement (∆s) and distance (∆s) is spatium, the Latin word for space (like the space between two locations).

Does s stand for displacement?

Note that s is for displacement, whereas d is for distance. Distance is the distance along the path traveled by a body, whereas displacement is the birds-eye distance traveled.

Why do they use S for displacement?

The Latin word for distance is spatium. ... For these reasons, we will use the italicized symbols s0 (ess nought) for the initial position on a path, s for the position on the path any time after that, and ∆s (delta ess) for the space traversed going from the one position to another — the distance .

Chloe Bennett

Chloe Bennett

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