Question

Difference between Distance and Displacement?

Answer 1

• Distance

• It is the length of the actual path by object, irrespective of its direction of motion.

• Distance is a scalar quantity.

• Distance covered can never be negative. it is always positive or zero.

• Distance between two given points may be same or different path chosen.

• Displacement

• Displacement is the shortest distance between the initial and final positions of an object in a given direction.

• Displacement is a vector quantity.

• Displacement may be positive, negative or zero.

• Displacement between two given points is always the same.