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Distance is a scalar measure of the interval between two locations measured along the actual path connecting them. Displacement is a vector measure of the interval between two locations measured along the shortest path connecting them.
Distance is the length of the path taken by an object whereas displacement is the simply the distance between where the object started and where it ended up. For example, lets say you drive a car. You drive it 5 miles east and then 3 miles west.
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.
One can define distance as the total length of the path on which travelling takes place from one location to another location. In contrast, displacement is the minimum distance possible between a body’s initial and final positions.
This video tutorial lesson explains the difference between distance and displacement. The meaning of distance and displacement are explained and the difference between the two quantities is clearly made through numerous examples and animations.
Distance is defined to be the magnitude or size of displacement between two positions. Note that the distance between two positions is not the same as the distance traveled between them.
Use distance to describe the shortest path between starting and ending points, and use displacement to describe the total path between starting and ending points. Measurement from your initial position to your final position is distance traveled, and the measurement of the total length of your path from the starting position to the final ...
