1.1.3

Distance & Displacement

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Distance vs Displacement

Distance and displacement are slightly different. Be careful which one you use.

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Distance

  • Distance is how far an object moves.
  • Distance is a scalar quantity.
    • This is because it contains a magnitude (size) but not a direction.
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Displacement

  • Displacement is the distance an object moves in a straight line from a starting point to a finishing point.
  • Displacement is a vector quantity.
    • This is because it contains a magnitude (size) and direction.

Jump to other topics

1Forces & Motion

1.1Basics of Motion

1.2Forces

1.3Effects of Forces

1.4Stopping Distance

1.5Forces & Elasticity

2Electricity

3Waves

4Energy Resources & Energy Transfers

5Solids, Liquids & Gases

6Magnetism & Electromagnetism

7Radioactivity & Particles

8Astrophysics

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