Distance and Displacement are used to measure the distance travelled. Both the quantities seem to mean the same thing, yet they have differences in their meaning and definition.
So, let’s discuss the definition and meaning of these two terminologies. And what is the difference between them?
Index
What is Distance?
Distance is a Scalar Quantity that refers to the distance travelled by a body from the initial point to the final point.
What is Displacement?
Displacement is a Vector Quantity that refers to its path from a specific point (say Origin) to a destination point.
We can also define displacement as the shortest path travelled to reach destination.
Difference Between Distance and Displacement
| Sr. No. | Distance | Displacement |
| 1. | Distance is the complete length of the path taken is said to be the distance. | Displacement is the shortest path between the initial and final positions. |
| 2. | Distance is denoted using ‘d’. | Displacement is denoted using ‘s’. |
| 3. | Direction is not considered while calculating distance. | Direction is considered while calculating displacement. |
| 4. | Distance is a scalar quantity. | Displacement is a vector quantity. |
| 5. | Distance is always positive & cannot be negative. | Displacement can be either positive or negative. |
| 6. | Distance is path-dependent. | Displacement is path-independent. |
| 7. | If the distance is zero, displacement is zero. | If the displacement is zero, the distance may or may not be zero. |
Solved Examples
Question 1. Find the distance traveled if the object moves from \(A \rightarrow B \rightarrow C \rightarrow D \Rightarrow A\). Also, find the displacement of the body.
AD = 10 cm & AB = 2 cm.
Solution. Distance Traveled = AB + BC + CD + DA
So, Distance Traveled = 2 + 10 + 2 + 10 = 24 cm.
Therefore, the distance travelled will be 24 cm. Displacement will be zero as the starting and ending point are the same.
Question 2. Find the distance travelled and the displacement of the body; if it moves from \(A \rightarrow B \rightarrow C\).
AD = 12 cm & AB = 9 cm.
Solution. Distance Traveled = AB +AC = 9 + 12 = 21 cm.
So, Distance Traveled = 9 + 12 = 21 cm.
Displacement = AC (or) \(\sqrt{AB^2 + BC^2}\) (By Pythagorean Theorem)
Displacement = \(\sqrt{9^2 + 12^2}\)
= \(\sqrt{81 + 144}\)
= \(\sqrt{225}\) = 15 cm.
Therefore, the distance travelled is 21 cm and the displacement is 15 cm.
FAQs
Distance is the length of the path taken between the initial and the final position of a moving object in the given time interval.
Displacement is the shortest path between the initial and final positions.
Yes, displacement can be zero, but the distance may or may not be zero.
Distance is a Scalar quantity and displacement is a vector quantity.
The main major difference is that distance is the complete length of the path taken whereas displacement is the shortest path.
