Distance and Displacement

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Distance

Definition:  The distance travelled by an object is the total length that is travelled by that object.
SI unit: meter (m)
Quantity: Scalar

Displacement

Definition:  Displacement of an object from a point of reference, O is the shortest distance of the object from point O in a specific direction.
SI unit: meter (m)
Quantity: Vector
Example:
 
  1. The distance of point B from the origin O is 100m.
  2. The distance of point A from the origin O is also 100m.
  3. The displacement of point B from the origin O is +100m.
  4. The distance of point A from the origin O is -100m.
  5. The + and – sign shows the direction of the displacement.
Example:
 
  1. Adli goes to work by motorcycle every day as shown in the diagram above.
  2. The distance that Adli travels from his house to the factory is 200m.
  3. The displacement of Adli from his house after arriving at the factory is 120m.
 

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Distance and Displacement in One Dimension

This video describes the difference between distance and displacement in one dimensional motion. Also shows how to calculate displacement.