What's the difference between distance and displacement

Distance is a scalar, meaning it only has a magnitude. Displacement is a vector, meaning that it has both magnitude and direction. For instance, distance can state that I am "x" metres away from a point, displacement would state that I am "x" metres away in a "y" direction. If you travel away from a point then return, you have travelled a non zero distance, but your displacement is zero as you have returned to your original position. 

EG
Answered by Emma G. Physics tutor

17484 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Insulating a home costs £2000 and saves £50 a year. What is the payback time?


It takes 1.8s to drop a ball of a bridge. How high is the bridge and what speed is reached?


A 100kg weight is placed 0.75 meters from a see-saw on the right hand side. Dan is 75kg. How far away does he have to sit from the pivot on the left hand side to have it balance?


Why do lasers produce an intense coherent beam of light?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning