What's the difference between distance and displacement

Distance is a scalar, meaning it only has a magnitude. Displacement is a vector, meaning that it has both magnitude and direction. For instance, distance can state that I am "x" metres away from a point, displacement would state that I am "x" metres away in a "y" direction. If you travel away from a point then return, you have travelled a non zero distance, but your displacement is zero as you have returned to your original position. 

EG

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is the density of a material if 4 cubic metres (m3 ) of it has a mass of 2,200 kg?


Explain how a convection current forms when a pan of water is being heated over a stove


A rollercoaster carriage of mass 100kg has 45kJ of Kinetic Energy at the lowest point of its ride. Ignoring air resistance and friction between the wheels and the tracks, what is the maximum height above this point it could reach? [Take g as 10m/s/s)


What is a chain reaction?