Question

Define the term Displacement. Is it a vector or a scalar quantity?

Answer 1

Hint: We should be clear about scalar and vector terms before proceeding to the answer. There is a minute difference between both terms and this difference brings about great change in various aspects of physics. These terms are based on two factors, magnitude and direction.

Complete answer:
Vector is the term used for quantities that have magnitude along with direction while scalar term defines the quantities that have only magnitude and no direction. Vector quantities include displacement, acceleration, force, weight and many more. While mass, speed, distance, temperature etc. are all scalar quantities.
Displacement can be defined as the shortest path between the starting point and the final destination point. It is generally shorter or equal to the distance covered by the object. it doesn’t tell us about the actual path on which our object travelled.

For example as in the above figure, the object travelled from A to B, then from B to C. ABC denotes the actual path travelled by the object but it is not the displacement of the object. It is the distance covered by an object. To calculate the displacement, we need to join the initial point with the final point (i.e. A to C). The path AC denotes the displacement of the object.
Displacement is a vector quantity i.e. dependent on magnitude as well as direction. With change in direction of motion or displacement its value also varies. As it is directional value hence it can have negative magnitude i.e. displacement will always be an integer number.

Note: Negative value of displacement defines the opposite direction of motion on the X and Y plane. Distance being a scalar can only be positive in magnitude. In the equations of motion, displacement is considered over distance.