Question

Displacement vs distance

Answer 1

Distance is the length of the path traveled, while displacement is the straight-line distance between the initial and final position, considering both magnitude and direction.

Step-by-step explanation:

Distance is the length of the path traveled by an object, while displacement is the straight-line distance from the initial to the final position, regardless of the path taken. Displacement includes both magnitude and direction, whereas distance only considers magnitude.

For example, if a person walks 5 meters to the east and then 3 meters to the west, their displacement would be 2 meters to the east, as it considers the overall change in position. However, the total distance traveled would be 8 meters, as it accounts for the entire path traveled.

It is important to note that displacement is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction, while distance is a scalar quantity with only magnitude.

Answer 2

Distance is a scalar quantity that refers to "how much ground an object has covered" during its motion. Displacement is a vector quantity that refers to "how far out of place an object is"; it is the object's overall change in position