1.

Difference between Distance and Displacement

Sl. Differentiating
Distance Displacement
No. Property

The complete length of the path Displacement is the direct length

1 Definition between any two points is called between any two points when measured
distance. along the minimum path between them.

2 Denotation d s

Direction To calculate distance, direction is To calculate displacement, direction is

3
Consideration not considered. taken into consideration.

Distance is a scalar quantity as it Displacement is a vector quantity as it

4 Quantity only depends upon the magnitude depends upon both magnitude and
and not the direction. direction.

Distance gives the detailed route As displacement refers to the shortest

5 Route Information information that is followed while path, it does not give complete
traveling from one point to another. information of the route.

6 Formula Speed × Time Velocity × Time

Distance can only have positive Displacement can be positive, negative

7 Possible Values
values. and even zero.

Distance is not indicated with an Displacement is always indicated with

8 Indication
arrow. an arrow.

Measurement in Distance can be measured along a Displacement can only be measured

9
Non-straight Path non-straight path. along a straight path.

Distance depends upon the path i.e. Displacement does not depend upon the
10 Path Dependence it changes according to the path path and it only depends upon the initial
taken. and final position of the body.

2. Rest and motion are relative terms. A body at rest with respect to one observer may
be in motion with respect to another observer.

For example a person sitting in a moving train is at rest with respect to the train. He is
 in motion with respect to a person standing outside.

We think that we are at rest but we are actually in motion as the earth itself is moving
with respect to the Sun. With respect to the earth we are at rest (if we are stationary)
but with respect to the sun we are moving.

3.
 1.

Uniform Motion:
Definition: This type of motion is defined as the motion of an object in which the object travels in
a straight line and its velocity remains constant along that line as it covers equal distances in
equal intervals of time, irrespective of the duration of the time.

Non Uniform Motion:

Definition: This type of motion is defined as the motion of an object in which the object
travels with varied speed and it does not cover same distance in equal time intervals,
irrespective of the time interval duration.

Comparison table Between these two types of motions:

Comparison Uniform Motion Non Uniform Motion

Parameters

Average Speed The motion is similar to the actual The motion is different from the actual
speed of the object. speed of the object.

Rectilinear Motion It has zero acceleration. It has non-zero acceleration.

Graph Distance-time graph shows a straight Distance-time graph shows a curved line
line

Distance Covers equal distances in equal time Covers unequal distances in equal time
interval. interval.
 2.

3. Instantaneous velocity -The velocity of an object under motion at a specific point of

time.

Vi=limΔt→0 ds/ds

Average velocity- The change in position or displacement (Δx)

divided by the time intervals (Δt)
 4. A car's speedometer shows instantaneous speed because the speedometer shows
the car's speed while the car is moving at that moment and not the average speed of
the car.

5. Speed is the rate of change of distance and velocity gives the rate of change of
displacement, i.e, its magnitude is speed as well as it has direction.

Hence, a body can have constant speed and still have varying velocity. For example: A body
moving with 1 m/s due east and then with 1 m/s due west.

A body having constant velocity means its magnitude as well as direction remains same.
Hence, a body having constant velocity will not have varying speed.

6. When the object travels with uniform velocity, then the average velocity is equal to
the instantaneous velocity.

7. Speed is directly proportional to the distance travelled by the body whereas, velocity
is proportional to the magnitude of displacement. Since distance, in general, is
greater than the displacement, Speed in general is greater than the magnitude of
velocity.

8. Velocity is slope of distance curve or line in distance - time graph

so v = dx/dt = 0 + 18 + 18t
= 18 + 18t

so at t = 2s
v = 18+18×2
= 18+36
= 54

9. When a body is thrown upward its velocity keeps on decreasing because of the
deceleration due to acceleration due to gravity (g) which pulls the body in downward
direction. At the maximum height velocity becomes zero. Therefore, velocity at the
top is zero and acceleration is acceleration due to gravity (g).
Hence we conclude that, at the top
1. Velocity = 0
2. Acceleration = g

10. Yes it is possible for a body to be accelerated without speeding up or slowing down.
A body moving on curved path or a circular path with uniform speed produces
change in velocity and hence gets accelerated.
11. The area under an acceleration graph represents the change in velocity. In other
words, the area under the acceleration graph for a certain time interval is equal to the
change in velocity during that time interval.

12.
 13. Consider the linear motion of a body with an initial velocity u. Let the body
accelerate uniformly and acquire a final velocity v after time t. The velocity–time
graph is a straight line AB as shown below.

At t = 0, initial velocity = u = OA
At t = t, final velocity = v = OC
The distance S travelled in time t = area of the trapezium OABD
s = (1/2) x (OA + DB) × OD
s = (1/2) x (u + v) × t
Since v = u + at,
s = (1/2) x (u + u + at) × t
s = ut + (1/2) at2

15.
16.

17.