Distance and Displacement: Overview

The concept of distance and displacement is very simple. One most important thing to note about the two is that the difference between the two is because of its concept. While displacement helps you understand how much distance an object is covered. Distance will help you understand how much area is covered.

The statement defining the two itself brings about the contrast. They seem to have the same meaning but are separate. The difference also lies in terms of Newtonian ideas and his laws. Let’s get more understanding between the two below.

What is The Distance?

Distance refers to the total movement of the object without any respect to the direction. Distance is defined as the area that an object covers between its starting point and ending point. Distance is a scalar quantity.

For example, let’s consider a boy Raju who travels 5 Km from school to house every day. It is 5 KM from home to school and 5 Km from school to home. Considering the total distance, Raju covers 10 Km every day.

Formula for distance (d)= D1+D2

What is Displacement?

You may think that distance is the same as displacement, it is not. Displacement refers to the condition where the position of an object changes. Therefore, when you move from one place (point A) to another (point B) and your final destination is point A only, there will be a distance covered but no displacement.

If one object moves from point A to point B, displacement occurs. However, if the object moves from point A to point B and comes back to point A then there is no displacement.

Distance and Displacement

Distance is a scalar quantity whereas displacement is a vector quantity. Distance will determine motion whereas displacement will determine the overall change in the position. Since displacement is a vector quantity it has magnitude and direction. Therefore, it is often represented using arrows.

If an object makes a complete round and comes back to one position, there will be no displacement. However, there will be a distance that the object will cover.

The displacement measurement will not take into consideration which route was taken. It will only determine the two points, where it starts and where it ends. Displacement brings forth a very easy-to-locate picture. It can be defined by the use of arrows. A major reason why displacement is a vector quantity is that it has direction, movement and magnitude.

Distance	Displacement
The complete length of the path between any two points is called distance.	Displacement is the direct length between any two points when measured along the minimum path between them.
Represented as d	Represented as s
To calculate distance, the direction is not considered.	To calculate displacement, the direction is taken into consideration.
Distance is a scalar quantity as it only depends upon the magnitude and not the direction.	Displacement is a vector quantity as it depends upon both magnitude and direction.
Distance gives detailed route information that is followed while travelling from one point to another.	As displacement refers to the shortest path, it does not give complete information on the route.
Formula= Speed × Time	Formula= Velocity × Time
The distance can only have positive values.	Displacement can be positive, negative, and even zero.
Distance is not indicated with an arrow.	Displacement is always indicated with an arrow.
The distance can be measured along a non-straight path.	Displacement can only be measured along a straight path.
Distance depends upon the path i.e. it changes according to the path taken.	Displacement does not depend upon the path and it only depends upon the initial and final position of the body.

Distance between two points will never be a negative quantity or zero. It should be a positive quantity. However, displacement is a vector quantity that will have magnitude, direction and movement.

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Last Modified 11-04-2024

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Distance and Displacement: Definition and Difference

Distance and Displacement: Overview

What is The Distance?

What is Displacement?