The total distance covered here is 33 km whereas the displacement from the origin point is just 3 km east.
Explanation:
Considering the object from a point O, if it moves 12 km to the north from the point then 6 km to the east, 12 km to the south and then 3 km towards the west direction, respectively, the total distance covered will be the sum of all these values. Hence, the distance will be,
Distance = sum of all values
Distance = 12 + 12 + 6 + 3 = 33 km
Now, while evaluating the displacement of the object from the initial point or the origin, we see that after travelling to 12 km to the South and then 3 km to the west direction from its position; it’s only 3 km away from the origin taking all the direction into the picture as displacement is a vector quantity and direction matters. Hence, the displacement will be,
Displacement = 12 + 6 -12 – 3 = 3 km east
So, the distance travelled by the object is 33 km but the displacement is just 3 km.