Distance may be defined as the ground covered by an object, regardless of where it started from and where it ended. Thus, the route taken by the object gains significance. In comparison, displacement is the difference between the initial and the final position of the object. Here the route taken by the object to reach the final position does not matter. Also, distance is a scalar quantity, while displacement is a vector quantity.
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Distance may be defined as the ground covered by an object, regardless of where it started from and where it ended. Thus, the route taken by the object gains significance. In comparison, displacement is the difference between the initial and the final position of the object. Here the route taken by the object to reach the final position does not matter. Also, distance is a scalar quantity, while displacement is a vector quantity.
It is possible for an object to have finite distance traveled and zero displacement. The condition to be met is that initial and final positions of the object should be the same. An example is traveling along a circular path. If an object goes around in a circular path (radius = r) for one completed circle, the distance traveled is `2pir` , whereas the displacement is zero since the initial and final positions are the same.
Similarly, when we throw a ball upwards, it falls down after traveling some distance. In this case as well, the distance traveled is finite, but the displacement is 0.
Hope this helps.
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