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3d Displacement Vector Calculator

3D Displacement Formula:

\[ D = \sqrt{(x_2-x_1)^2 + (y_2-y_1)^2 + (z_2-z_1)^2} \]

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1. What is 3D Displacement?

3D displacement is the straight-line distance between two points in three-dimensional space. It represents the shortest path between the starting point (x1, y1, z1) and the ending point (x2, y2, z2) in a 3D coordinate system.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3D displacement formula:

\[ D = \sqrt{(x_2-x_1)^2 + (y_2-y_1)^2 + (z_2-z_1)^2} \]

Where:

Explanation: The formula extends the Pythagorean theorem to three dimensions, calculating the straight-line distance between two points in 3D space.

3. Importance of 3D Displacement Calculation

Details: 3D displacement calculations are essential in physics, engineering, computer graphics, robotics, and navigation systems. They help determine distances, magnitudes, and spatial relationships in three-dimensional environments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the coordinates of both starting and ending points in the 3D coordinate system. The calculator will compute the straight-line distance between these two points.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between distance and displacement?
A: Distance is the total path length traveled, while displacement is the straight-line distance between start and end points (a vector quantity).

Q2: Can this calculator handle negative coordinates?
A: Yes, the calculator works with both positive and negative coordinate values in all three dimensions.

Q3: What units should I use for the coordinates?
A: Use consistent units (meters, feet, etc.) for all coordinates. The result will be in the same units.

Q4: How accurate is the calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically exact based on the input values, with results rounded to 4 decimal places.

Q5: Can I use this for 2D calculations?
A: Yes, simply set the z-coordinates to the same value (usually 0) for both points to perform 2D distance calculations.

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