Full Answer Section

• Can Be Non-Linear: Distance can be measured along a straight line or a curved path. For example, if you drive a winding road from point A to B, the distance traveled will be greater than the straight-line distance between those points.
• Always Positive: Distance is always a non-negative value. There’s no such thing as a negative distance; you can’t travel a negative length.

Displacement:

• Shortest Path Between Points: Displacement refers to the shortest straight-line distance between the starting and ending points of an object’s movement. It’s a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude (a number) and direction.
• Direction Matters: The direction of the displacement is crucial. For example, moving 10 meters east is different from moving 10 meters west.
• Can Be Zero: Displacement can be zero if the object returns to its starting point, even if it traveled a significant distance along a winding path.

Here’s a table summarizing the key differences:

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Example:

Imagine walking around a rectangular track. The distance you travel might be 400 meters (length of the track perimeter). However, your displacement would be 0 meters since you end up at the same starting point.