Question

Differentiate between distance and displacement.

Answer 1

Hint: Both the terms are having the same unit of measurement but they are having differences with the one as scalar quantity and the other one is the vector quantity. This one major difference is the cause of other differences too.

Complete step by step answer: (1)The total path covered between any two points without the consideration of the direction is known as distance whereas displacement will be the shortest distance between two points.
(2)Distance is denoted by d whereas displacement is denoted by s.
(3)For calculating distance, direction won’t be considered whereas for calculating displacement, direction of the body will be considered.
(4)Distance is a scalar quantity whereas displacement is a vector quantity.
(5)Distance= speed $\times$ time, whereas displacement = velocity $\times$ time
(6)Distance depends on the path whereas displacement does not depend on path, it depends only on the initial and final position of the body.
(7)Distance can not be negative or zero whereas displacement can be positive, negative and zero.
(8)SI units of both the quantities are meters.
(9)Distance does not decrease with time whereas displacement decreases.
(10) Distance can be more than or equal to the magnitude of the displacement whereas the magnitude of displacement can be less than or equal to the distance.

Note: Distance is a scalar quantity whereas displacement is a vector quantity.
Scalar quantities are those quantities which depend on the magnitude only whereas the vector quantities are those which have magnitude as well as direction. So, that’s why distance is a scalar quantity whereas displacement is a vector quantity.