Can you explain the difference between distance and displacement

Distance is a scalar which means it only has a length- it is the length of distance travelled along a pathDisplacement is a vector which means it has a direction and a length and is the total change in position from start to finishAn analogy would be that a person who walks a long a windy path may travel 1km in distance but the path wind in many direction so their total displacement is only 0.5km. The persons displacement is the distance and direction from the persons start to finish positions.Or a car travelling 1km north and 1km east the total distance is 2km but the displacement is 1.41km north east. This can be calculated using pythagoras theorem.

EH
Answered by Emma H. Physics tutor

2360 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What's the difference between velocity and speed?


What is the difference between a longitudinal and a transverse wave?


Write the equations of motion for constant acceleration and describe each term involved. Explain how to apply these equations of motion to calculate the horizontal and vertical components of a projectile moving under the force of gravity only.


A car of mass 1000 kg is travelling at 20 (m/s). The car crashes into a tree, and comes to a complete halt in 0.05s. Calculate the force acting on the car during the collision.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences