The Student Room Group
Uni students - Complete our survey >>
Uni students - Complete our survey >>
Uni students - Complete our survey >>

This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Displacement - r vs. s

This has been troubling me for some time now - the AQA Maths course uses the symbol r for displacement in 2 or 3 dimensions, but s for displacement in one dimension. Why? WHY?
Reply 1
Avatar for Swayum
Swayum
18
I thought r was used when vectors were involved and s otherwise? Or at least that's the pattern I've noticed.
Reply 2
Avatar for James
James
14
Usually r is a position vector, and r is its norm (distance from the origin). Sometimes s is used to represent arc length (the length of a curve).
Reply 3
Avatar for fusionskd
fusionskd
10
In physics displacement is represented by x
Reply 4
Avatar for Notnek
Notnek
21
fusionskd
In physics displacement is represented by x

I think it depends on teacher/board. I was taught with an 's' in physics and maths.

My mechanics lecturer in uni doesn't like 's' (or any of the suvat equations). He uses 'x' for displacement.
Reply 5
Avatar for fusionskd
fusionskd
10
notnek_01
I think it depends on teacher/board. I was taught with an 's' in physics and maths.

My mechanics lecturer in uni doesn't like 's' (or any of the suvat equations). He uses 'x' for displacement.


My physics teacher hates the fact we use s in maths for displacement lol he calls then vuxat equations.

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you