Final answer:
Distance is the total length of the path traveled and is a scalar quantity, while displacement is the straight-line change in position from start to end and is a vector quantity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences Between Distance and Displacement
When discussing motion, it's crucial to understand the concepts of distance and displacement. Distance refers to the total length of the path an object travels, irrespective of the direction. It is a scalar quantity, meaning it has only magnitude, but no direction. In contrast, displacement is a vector quantity, which means it has both magnitude and direction. Displacement indicates the change in the object's position from the starting point to the endpoint, represented as a straight line in the direction from initial to final position.
For example, if you walk in a circle and return to your starting point, your displacement is zero (since there's no change in position), but your distance traveled is the circumference of the circle. On a round trip to school, the distance includes the entire path traveled, while the displacement could be zero if you end up back at home.