
Distinguish between distance and displacement.
Answer
493.5k+ views
Hint: Usually in order to define the position of any point or an object we require a reference system. We have chosen a reference system which contains 3 axes representing three dimensions. We call them the x, y, z axes. We take a reference point as its origin and we measure length from origin. Based on how we measure that length we have two entities i.e distance and displacement.
Complete step by step answer:
DISTANCE:
It is the total length travelled by a particle in a certain time interval. The path in which it travels matters too. It is a scalar quantity i.e it has only magnitude. Since it has only magnitude it is Always positive. Its value will be greater than or equal to the displacement. Its unit is meter
DISPLACEMENT.
It is the shortest distance or shortest length the particle had travelled in a given time interval. Path of travel doesn’t matter over here. It is a vector quantity so it has both direction and magnitude. It can be positive or negative or even can be zero. It can never be greater than distance it is always lesser than or equal to distance. Its unit is meter.
In the above image let us assume the particle started from P and travelled till Q in a straight line. Here PQ will be both distance and displacement. Hence distance and displacement are equal in this case.
In the above circle if a particle had travelled from A to B along AOB then distance is half of the perimeter of the circle i.e 22m while displacement is its diameter i.e 14m and if it reaches point A again then distance is its perimeter 44m while displacement is zero.
Note:
If a body is travelling in the straight lane path without reversing its direction, we call distance and displacement are equal. In the first figure distance is equal to displacement because the particle had travelled in straight line motion. In kinematics most of the formulas we use involves displacement rather than distance.
Complete step by step answer:
DISTANCE:
It is the total length travelled by a particle in a certain time interval. The path in which it travels matters too. It is a scalar quantity i.e it has only magnitude. Since it has only magnitude it is Always positive. Its value will be greater than or equal to the displacement. Its unit is meter
DISPLACEMENT.
It is the shortest distance or shortest length the particle had travelled in a given time interval. Path of travel doesn’t matter over here. It is a vector quantity so it has both direction and magnitude. It can be positive or negative or even can be zero. It can never be greater than distance it is always lesser than or equal to distance. Its unit is meter.

In the above image let us assume the particle started from P and travelled till Q in a straight line. Here PQ will be both distance and displacement. Hence distance and displacement are equal in this case.

In the above circle if a particle had travelled from A to B along AOB then distance is half of the perimeter of the circle i.e 22m while displacement is its diameter i.e 14m and if it reaches point A again then distance is its perimeter 44m while displacement is zero.
Note:
If a body is travelling in the straight lane path without reversing its direction, we call distance and displacement are equal. In the first figure distance is equal to displacement because the particle had travelled in straight line motion. In kinematics most of the formulas we use involves displacement rather than distance.
Recently Updated Pages
Express the following as a fraction and simplify a class 7 maths CBSE

The length and width of a rectangle are in ratio of class 7 maths CBSE

The ratio of the income to the expenditure of a family class 7 maths CBSE

How do you write 025 million in scientific notatio class 7 maths CBSE

How do you convert 295 meters per second to kilometers class 7 maths CBSE

Write the following in Roman numerals 25819 class 7 maths CBSE

Trending doubts
State and prove Bernoullis theorem class 11 physics CBSE

What are Quantum numbers Explain the quantum number class 11 chemistry CBSE

Write the differences between monocot plants and dicot class 11 biology CBSE

1 ton equals to A 100 kg B 1000 kg C 10 kg D 10000 class 11 physics CBSE

State the laws of reflection of light

In northern hemisphere 21st March is called as A Vernal class 11 social science CBSE
