Question

Can distance be 0,even when displacement is not 0 . Explain :Define distance and displacement .Give 4 point of distinction between them.

Answer 1

No, distance can't be zero if displacement is not zero.

• If the distance traveled is zero, then it means that the initial and final positions of the body are the same and the object didn't move at all, so in that case, displacement can never be zero.

• Distance can be defined as the total path covered by a body or an object.

• Displacement is the shortest distance between the initial position and final position.

Four points of distinctions between Distance and Displacement are:

1. Distance is a scalar quantity as it has only magnitude whereas displacement is a vector quantity with both magnitude and direction.
2. Distance is the total path covered by the body whereas displacement is the shortest path covered by the body.
3. The distance traveled can never be zero but displacement can be zero if initial and final positions are the same.
4. Distance can never decrease with time whereas displacement can decrease.