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Difference Between Distance and Displacement

Distance and displacement are two physical parameters to measure the area covered
by a moving object. Literally, both distance and displacement give same meaning but
scientifically they are different. Distance is a scalar while displacement is a vector. The
main difference and the definition for these quantities are given below:

What is the Difference Between Distance and


Displacement?
Distance:
Distance is a measure to find out how much area is covered by a moving body when it
is traveled from one point to the other. It is a scalar quantity, which does not have
direction. Only the magnitude is there in the case of distance. The given figure will
explain about the distance.

Displacement:
Displacement is the shortest distance traveled by a body from one point to other. It is a
vector quantity. Which has both magnitude and direction. The displacement is illustrated
by the given figure.

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