Difference between Distance and Displacement

Distance and displacement are two concepts used in physics to describe the motion of an object. Although they both refer to the movement of an object, they are not the same thing.

Distance

Distance is defined as the total length of the path taken by an object in motion. It is a scalar quantity, which means it is only concerned with the magnitude of the motion and not its direction. Distance is always positive and is measured in units such as meters, kilometers, or miles.

Displacement

Displacement, on the other hand, is defined as the shortest distance between the initial and final position of an object in motion. It is a vector quantity, which means it is concerned with both the magnitude and direction of the motion. Displacement can be positive, negative, or zero depending on the direction of the motion. It is also measured in units such as meters, kilometers, or miles.

Example

For example, if a person walks 10 meters to the east and then turns around and walks 5 meters to the west, the distance traveled by the person is 15 meters. However, the displacement of the person is only 5 meters to the east because the final position is closer to the initial position than the total distance covered.

Conclusion

In summary, the main difference between distance and displacement is that distance is the total length of the path taken by an object in motion, while displacement is the shortest distance between the initial and final position of an object in motion.