The Position Function in One Dimension
The Position Function
The position function is a vector function of time. It is a rule that for any time (scalar quantity) it will provide a unique vector associated with that time. (If this terminology is unfamiliar, there is a video reviewing functions in the background section.) So, as time varies continuously, the position function provides a continuously varying vector that identifies the location of an object.
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Position Function Terminology
You need to be very familiar with some terminology for the position function. This comes up again and again and again. Books don't really discuss it, as they assume it is completely obvious, which it is not.
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Distance and Displacement
Now we introduce two new terms: Distance and Displacement. They are different and you must know what those differences are.