Distance
We define distance as a scalar expression; that implies how much area is covered by an object while travelling from one location to another. As a scalar measure, it takes into account the magnitude only and not the direction. So, it gives the numerical value of the amount of space between two points, at a given time, considering the actual path. The SI unit of distance is meters.
Displacement
Displacement means the change in position of someone or something, in a particular direction. It is the shortest length measured from its initial position to the final position of the moving body. It is a vector quantity, so it takes into account both magnitude and direction of the object. The magnitude of displacement refers to the linear distance between two points.
In general, measurement of displacement is done along the straight line, although, its measurement can also be done along curved paths. Further, the measurement is done considering a reference point.
cement:
The amount of space between two points, measured along the actual path, which connects the two points, is called distance. The amount of space between two points, measured along the minimum path which connects them, is called displacement.
Distance is nothing but the length of the total route travelled by the object during motion. On the other hand, displacement is the least distance between starting and finishing point.
Distance gives the complete information of the path followed by the body. As against this, displacement does not give the complete information of the path travelled by the object.
Displacement decreases with time, whereas distance does not decrease with time.
The value of displacement can be positive, negative or even zero, but the value of the distance is always positive.
Distance is a scalar measure, which takes into account the magnitude only, i.e. we need to specify only the numerical value. Unlike displacement which is a vector measure and takes into account both magnitude and direction.
Distance covered is not the unique path, but the displacement between two locations, is the unique path.
While distance is represented by ‘d’, displacement is labelled as ‘s’.
Distance can be calculated by multiplying speed and time. On the contrary, the displacement can be calculated by multiplying velocity and time.