Distance vs Displacement

• Distance refers to “how much ground an object has covered” or the length of its motion.

• Distance is a scalar quantity

Distance will only tell you how much you have travelled.

Example:

187km

3 miles

12 steps

Olivia walked 2 miles to the local park. Then she walked 4 miles to the mall. Then she walked 6 miles back home. What is the total distance she walked?

• Displacement refers to "how far out of place an object is."

• Displacement is a vector quantity.

Displacement: The object can not go back to its original spot. There must be a change in position.

Let's look at the previous problem:

Olivia walked 2 miles North to the local park. Then she walked 4 miles East to the mall. Then she walked 2 miles South and then 4 West miles back home. What is Olivia's displacement?

Olivia walked 2 miles North to the local park. Then she walked 4 miles East to the mall. What is Olivia's displacement?