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Distance is the total length travelled where as displacement is the length between where you started and where you are now. example.. If you travel in a circular path, around the whole circle and wind up back where you started. Your displacement will be zero but your distance travelled will be the circumference of the circle.

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βˆ™ 13y ago
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βˆ™ 5mo ago

Distance is the actual length of the path traveled by an object, while displacement is the overall change in position from the starting point to the end point, regardless of the path taken. Distance is a scalar quantity, whereas displacement is a vector quantity that includes both magnitude and direction.

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βˆ™ 12y ago

Displacement is the length and direction of the straight line between the starting

point and the ending point, regardless of the route traveled on the way.

Distance is the length of the trip from the starting point to the end point, including

any twists, turns, curves, switchbacks, hairpins, and loops. If it's not a straight

line, then it's always greater than the length of the displacement.

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βˆ™ 13y ago

The distance something travels is the summation of the total displacement before every change in direction. The displacement is the net distance traveled.

For example, if you ran one lap around a track, your distance traveled was 400 meters. However, you ended up back where you started, so your displacement is a whopping 0 meters.

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βˆ™ 12y ago

Example.

Let us say that your school is 4 miles away in a straight line of walking. The trip to and from school is 8 miles and this is the distance you have walked. The displacement is only 4 miles because displacement is a vector dependent on direction and you have erased all but one direction by walking to and from school in a straight line.

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βˆ™ 13y ago

distance is the measure of the length between two points where as displacement is the shortest distance between the points.

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Q: How does distance differ displacement?
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Related questions

What are some questions with the answer displacement?

What is the distance and direction of an object's change in position from its original point? How can displacement be calculated using vector addition? In what way does displacement differ from distance traveled? How does displacement relate to an object's initial and final positions?


How does distance and displacement differ?

Distance is the total length of the path traveled, while displacement is the change in position from the starting point to the ending point in a straight line. Distance is a scalar quantity, indicating magnitude only, while displacement is a vector quantity, indicating both magnitude and direction.


What are your ideas about distance and displacement?

Distance is scalar. Displacement is a vector.


What is the relationship between displacement and direction?

Displacement is just distance traveled and a direction. For example 40m east is a displacement distance


Can distance and displacement be the same and how?

Distance and displacement can be the same only if an object moves in a straight line from its starting point and the displacement is measured along that line. In such cases, the magnitude of the displacement is equal to the distance traveled.


How are displacement and distance similar?

Distance and displacement are similar because both have magnitude.However, displacement is a vector quantity since it has both magnitude and direction whereas distance is a scalar quantity since it has only magnitude.


Do you find displacement when given the distance and time?

No, displacement is different from distance. Displacement takes into account both the distance and direction from the starting point to the ending point. So, to find displacement, you need information about both the distance traveled and the direction of travel.


Is it possible for the displacement to be larger than the distance?

Yes, it is possible for the displacement to be larger than the distance traveled. Displacement is the shortest distance between the initial and final position, while distance is the total length of the path taken. If the path is not a straight line, the displacement can be greater than the distance.


When is the magnitude of displacement equal to the distance?

The magnitude of displacement is equal to distance when an object moves in a straight line without changing direction. This occurs when displacement and distance have the same direction.


When can a body have same distance and same displacement?

A body can have the same distance and displacement when it moves in a straight line without changing direction. This means the body covers the same distance as the magnitude of its displacement.


What is displacement in physical?

Displacement is a vector quantity. This means it has both size AND direction. Therefore, displacement is defined as distance in a given direction. Rather then simply 'distance'. Distance itself is a scalar quantity... and only has size. No direction. 20m - Distance. 20m upwards - Displacement.


What is the ratio of distance to displacement?

The ratio of distance to displacement is always equal to or greater than 1. This is because distance will always be equal to or greater than displacement, as distance is the total length of the path traveled while displacement is the difference between the final and initial positions.