2007-03-04 01:51:50 · 13 answers · asked by jerry_1117_rivera 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Study the following example to understand the difference between 'distance' and 'displacement'.
A and B are two cities. A is situated to the North of B. If you measure the distance between the two along a straight line connecting the two it is 100 Km. However, because of the nature of terrain, the road connecting two is 200 Km long. If you ask somebody about the distance between the two, he will say 200Km. Imagine that you travel from city A to city B. If you say that you have travelled a distance of 200Km, a Physics specialist will agree with you, but will add that 'your displacement is 100Km towards North'.
'Distance travelled' is a scalar, i.e. a measurement which takes into consideration actual quantity of distance between the starting and end points only. 'Displacement' is a vector, i.e. a measurement which takes into consideration 'direction' as well as the distance along a straight line between the starting and end points
2007-03-04 18:42:37 · answer #1 · answered by Govinda 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Distance is the measurement between any two points whereas displacement is shifting of one thing by another. For example, distance between Jhansi and New Delhi (via train route) is 420 Kms, whereas a boat displaces amount of water equal of its weight.
However 'Oxford Advanced Learner's dictionary' have the following terminnology for the above words:
Distance:-"the amount of space between two places or things-the distance of the earth from the sun.
Displacement:-the amount of a liquid moved out of place by sth floating or put in it, especially a ship floating in water, the process of being displaced.
2007-03-04 02:21:40 · answer #2 · answered by pk b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Displacement is after a force is applied on a object and it moves whereas distance is the gap between two points.
2007-03-04 02:32:35 · answer #3 · answered by Neeraja Singh 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure u have learn vector. Distance and displacement maybe the same in terms of magnitude but there is a significant difference which is distance is a scalar quantity(it has no direction,it only has magnitude) while displacement is a vector quantity(it has both direction and magnitude). As a vector quantity, it is usually expressed in terms of unit vector i, j, k
2007-03-04 02:10:23 · answer #4 · answered by Hanz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Distance is the variety of metres (or inches or miles) placing apart 2 factors. Displacement is flow and must be the gap which some merchandise strikes relative to a distinctive. Bramble
2016-10-02 08:56:41 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Distance - The amount of space between two places or things.
Displacement - the act of displaying or the process of being displaced. Or The amount of a liquid moved out of place by sth floating or put it. especially a ship floating in water.
2007-03-04 02:11:55 · answer #6 · answered by Sumit M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Distance is the actual distance covered between two points.
Displacement is the relative distance covered between the two points.
For e.g. if i travel from point A, travel for 5 kms and then return back to point A:
Distance travelled = 5 kms
Displacement = 0 kms (as relative distace is 0)
2007-03-04 02:09:48 · answer #7 · answered by Ganesh 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
distance:
the distance is the distance covered without the reference of the time
displacement :
the displacement is distance covered withthe reference of the time .
2007-03-04 23:21:44 · answer #8 · answered by varun hi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Distance meters from one point to other.
Displacement travelling from one point to other.
2007-03-04 01:58:16 · answer #9 · answered by jaime r 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
displacement is the shortest distance between two points. it does not matter on the path. But, distance matters on the path.
2007-03-04 02:22:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋