Difference between Distance and Displacement
Distance
1) The total path travelled by object during the motion is called as the distance
2) E. g. If the motion of object starts from point A and ends at E, then covers paths x1, x2, x3,and x4 as shown below,
Then the total distance in this case is, x= x1+x2+x3+ x4
3) SI unit of distance is meter and CGS unit is centimetre.
4) To measure the distance direction is not required.
5) Distance is scalar quantity.
6) Distance cannot be zero or negative.
7) The magnitude of distance is always positive.
Displacement
1) Displacement is the shortest distance measured along straight line between initial and final position of object.
2.) e. g. If the motion of object starts from point A and ends at E, then covers paths x1, x2, x3,and x4 as shown below,
Then the displacement in this case will be the length of segment AE.
(shown by red colour)
3.) SI unit of displacement is meter and CGS unit is centimetre.
4.) To measure the displacement direction is required.
5.) Displacement is vector quantity.
6.) Displacement can be zero, negative or positive.
7.) The magnitude of distance and displacement will be same if the initial position and final position of object lies along the same straight line.