Study of motion
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3. Trajectory, displacement and distance travelled

If we follow the movement of a fly, we observe that it changes its position over time, an goes from the initial point to the final one.

The fly has changed its position with respect to the origin of the frame of reference. We also observe that it follows a path in its movement, represented by the red line.

The trajectory of a movement is the geometric line that a body takes while it moves. It can be straight or a curve.

Displacement is the distance is a straight line, which separates two positions of a moving objects in different moments in time.

The distance travelled (s) is the length a moving object goes measured on the trajectory.

In the case of this fly, distance travelled and displacement are different.

A

L

C