What term describes a change in the position of a particle?

Displacement is the term that specifically describes a change in the position of a particle. It refers to the shortest straight-line distance from the initial position to the final position of the particle, taking into account the direction of movement. Displacement is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.

In contrast, distance refers to the total movement of the particle regardless of direction, measuring how much ground an object has covered. Velocity describes the rate of change of displacement over time, including direction, but does not refer directly to the change in position itself. Acceleration measures the rate of change of velocity over time, which is a different concept related to how quickly an object speeds up or slows down. Therefore, displacement is the most accurate term for indicating a change in position.