Distance is the length of a path between two points, while Displacement is the shortest distance between two points. Distance is the scalar quantity while Displacement is the vector quantity.
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Difference between distance and displacement in tabular form
| DISTANCE | DISPLACEMENT |
|
Definition |
|
| Distance between two points is the distance covered by the body. It may or may not be in a straight line. | it IS a straight line distance between the initial and final position of a body.
|
|
Nature |
|
| It is a scalar quantity | It is a vector quantity |
|
Unit |
|
| Its S.l unit is a meter (m) | Its S.l unit is a meter (m) |
Read Also: Differences b/w speed and Velocity
What is Displacement?
The distance covered by a body in a particular direction in a unit of time is known as displacement. Being a vector quantity it has magnitude as well as direction.
Example of Displacement
- Consider two points A and B such that a body Is placed at point A.
- The body can move from point A to point B along different paths I.II, III, IV, as shown In figure.
- it can be seen from fig. that the body traveled the distance in a straight line along the path only.
- The distance traveled by the body between points A and B along path IV is the shortest distance and is covered in a definite direction. This distance Is known as displacement.
Related Topics:
- How many types of motion are there in Physics?
- Equations of motion
- What are the three laws of motion?
- Examples of force
- Branches of Physics
- Newton’s second law
