Displacement vs. Distance — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 8, 2024
Displacement measures the shortest path between start and end points in a straight line, focusing on direction, while distance measures the total path length traveled, regardless of direction.
Difference Between Displacement and Distance
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Displacement is a vector quantity that refers to how far out of place an object is; it's the object's overall change in position. Conversely, distance is a scalar quantity which measures how much ground an object has covered during its motion.
Displacement can be zero if the start and end points are the same, regardless of the path taken, whereas distance is always a non-negative value that increases as the object moves.
For example, if you walk around a track and finish at your starting point, your displacement is zero but your distance is the circumference of the track.
Displacement considers direction as part of its measurement, which can be positive, negative, or zero, while distance only considers the magnitude of travel without any directional component. In physics, understanding both concepts is crucial as they relate differently to other kinematic variables like speed and velocity.
Comparison Chart
Type of Quantity
Vector (has magnitude and direction)
Scalar (has only magnitude)
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Measurement
Straight line path from start to end point
Total path length traveled
Direction Dependency
Dependent; indicates direction from start point
Independent; no directional component
Zero Value Scenario
Can be zero if start and end points are same
Never zero; minimum value is the start of movement
Example Usage
Used in physics to calculate velocity
Used to determine how far an object has traveled
Compare with Definitions
Displacement
In physics, displacement relates to vector quantities like velocity.
The object's displacement directly affects its velocity calculation.
Distance
Distance is always a positive value.
The distance between two cities is always stated in positive numbers.
Displacement
Displacement can be negative if it moves in the opposite direction.
The displacement was -3 meters, indicating movement backwards.
Distance
It does not account for the direction, just the length of the path.
The winding path increased the total distance traveled.
Displacement
Displacement refers to the change in position of an object.
The displacement of the car was 5 kilometers north.
Distance
Distance measures the total path traveled by an object.
He ran a distance of 10 kilometers this morning.
Displacement
It considers the direction from the initial to the final position.
The displacement vector points directly east.
Distance
It accumulates over a journey, no matter the direction.
The total travel distance was much greater due to detours.
Displacement
It can be zero if the object returns to its original position.
Despite the long journey, the displacement was zero.
Distance
In everyday use, distance is how far two points are from each other on a map.
The map shows the distance as 15 miles.
Displacement
The act of displacing.
Distance
Distance is a numerical measurement of how far apart objects or points are. In physics or everyday usage, distance may refer to a physical length or an estimation based on other criteria (e.g.
Displacement
The condition of having been displaced.
Distance
The length of the space between two points
You may have to walk long distances
I cycled the short distance home
Displacement
(Chemistry) A reaction in which an atom, radical, ion, or molecule replaces another in a compound.
Distance
The full length of a race
He claimed the 100 m title in only his second race over the distance
Displacement
A vector or the magnitude of a vector from the initial position to a subsequent position assumed by a body.
Distance
The avoidance of familiarity; reserve
A mix of warmth and distance makes a good neighbour
Displacement
The weight or volume of a fluid displaced by a floating body, used especially as a measurement of the weight or bulk of ships.
Distance
Make (someone or something) far off or remote in position or nature
Her mother wished to distance her from the rough village children
Displacement
The volume displaced by a single stroke of a piston in an engine or pump.
Distance
Beat (a horse) by a distance.
Displacement
The relative movement between the two sides of a fault.
Distance
The extent of space between two objects or places; an intervening space.
Displacement
The distance between the two sides of a fault. Also called dislocation.
Distance
The fact or condition of being apart in space; remoteness.
Displacement
(Psychiatry) A psychological defense mechanism in which there is an unconscious shift of emotions, affect, or desires from the original object to a more acceptable or immediate substitute.
Distance
(Mathematics) The length or numerical value of a straight line or curve.
Displacement
The act of displacing, or the state of being displaced; a putting out of place.
Distance
The extent of space between points on a measured course.
Displacement
The quantity of a liquid displaced by a floating body, as water by a ship, the weight of the displaced liquid being equal to that of the displacing body.
Distance
The length of a race, especially of a horserace.
Displacement
(chemistry) The process of extracting soluble substances from organic material and the like, whereby a quantity of saturated solvent is displaced, or removed, for another quantity of the solvent.
Distance
A point or area that is far away
"Telephone poles stretched way into a distance I couldn't quite see" (Leigh Allison Wilson).
Displacement
(fencing) Moving the target to avoid an attack; dodging.
Distance
A depiction of a such a point or area.
Displacement
(physics) A vector quantity which denotes distance with a directional component.
Distance
A stretch of space without designation of limit; an expanse
A land of few hills and great distances.
Displacement
(grammar) The capability of a communication system to refer to things that are not present (that existed or will exist at another time, or that exist at another location).
Distance
The extent of time between two events; an intervening period.
Displacement
The act of displacing, or the state of being displaced; a putting out of place.
Unnecessary displacement of funds.
The displacement of the sun by parallax.
Distance
A point removed in time
At a distance of 11 years, his memory of the crime was blurry.
Displacement
The quantity of anything, as water, displaced by a floating body, as by a ship, the weight of the displaced liquid being equal to that of the displacing body.
Distance
The full period or length of a contest or game
The challenger had never attempted the distance of 12 rounds.
Displacement
The process of extracting soluble substances from organic material and the like, whereby a quantity of saturated solvent is displaced, or removed, for another quantity of the solvent.
Distance
An amount of progress
The curriculum committee is a distance from where it was last month.
Displacement
An event in which something is displaced without rotation
Distance
Difference or disagreement
The candidates could not be at a greater distance on this issue.
Displacement
Act of taking the place of another especially using underhanded tactics
Distance
Emotional separateness or reserve; aloofness.
Displacement
The act of uniform movement
Distance
To place or keep at or as if at a distance
"monks who had distanced themselves from the official ecclesiastical hierarchy by resurrecting the ascetic traditions of the early Church Fathers" (Rosamund Bartlett).
Displacement
(chemistry) a reaction in which an elementary substance displaces and sets free a constituent element from a compound
Distance
To cause to appear at a distance.
Displacement
(psychiatry) a defense mechanism that transfers affect or reaction from the original object to some more acceptable one
Distance
To leave far behind; outrun.
Displacement
To move something from its natural environment
Distance
(countable) The amount of space between two points, usually geographical points, usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.
The distance to Petersborough is thirty miles.
From Moscow, the distance is relatively short to Saint Petersburg, relatively long to Novosibirsk, but even greater to Vladivostok.
Displacement
Act of removing from office or employment
Distance
Length or interval of time.
Distance
The difference; the subjective measure between two quantities.
We're narrowing the distance between the two versions of the bill.
The distance between the lowest and next gear on my bicycle is annoying.
Distance
Remoteness of place; a remote place.
Distance
Remoteness in succession or relation.
The distance between a descendant and his ancestor
Distance
A space marked out in the last part of a racecourse.
Distance
The entire amount of progress to an objective.
He had promised to perform this task, but did not go the distance.
Distance
A withholding of intimacy; alienation; variance.
The friendship did not survive the row: they kept each other at a distance.
Distance
The remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence, respect; ceremoniousness.
Distance
The space measured back from the winning-post which a racehorse running in a heat must reach when the winner has covered the whole course, in order to run in the final heat.
Distance
(transitive) To move away (from) someone or something.
He distanced himself from the comments made by some of his colleagues.
Distance
(transitive) To leave at a distance; to outpace, leave behind.
Distance
(transitive) To lose interest in a specific issue.
Distance
The space between two objects; the length of a line, especially the shortest line joining two points or things that are separate; measure of separation in place.
Every particle attracts every other with a force . . . inversely proportioned to the square of the distance.
Distance
Remoteness of place; a remote place.
Easily managed from a distance.
'T is distance lends enchantment to the view.
[He] waits at distance till he hears from Cato.
Distance
A space marked out in the last part of a race course.
The horse that ran the whole field out of distance.
Distance
Relative space, between troops in ranks, measured from front to rear; - contrasted with interval, which is measured from right to left.
Distance
Space between two antagonists in fencing.
Distance
The part of a picture which contains the representation of those objects which are the farthest away, esp. in a landscape.
Distance
Ideal disjunction; discrepancy; contrariety.
Distance
Length or interval of time; period, past or future, between two eras or events.
Ten years' distance between one and the other.
The writings of Euclid at the distance of two thousand years.
Distance
The remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence, respect; ceremoniousness.
I hope your modestyWill know what distance to the crown is due.
'T is by respect and distance that authority is upheld.
Distance
A withholding of intimacy; alienation; coldness; disagreement; variance; restraint; reserve.
Setting them [factions] at distance, or at least distrust amongst themselves.
On the part of Heaven,Now alienated, distance and distaste.
Distance
Remoteness in succession or relation; as, the distance between a descendant and his ancestor.
Distance
The interval between two notes; as, the distance of a fourth or seventh.
If a man makes me keep my distance, the comfort is he keeps his at the same time.
Distance
To place at a distance or remotely.
I heard nothing thereof at Oxford, being then miles distanced thence.
Distance
To cause to appear as if at a distance; to make seem remote.
His peculiar art of distancing an object to aggrandize his space.
Distance
The property created by the space between two objects or points
Distance
A distant region;
I could see it in the distance
Distance
Size of the gap between two places;
The distance from New York to Chicago
He determined the length of the shortest line segment joining the two points
Distance
Indifference by personal withdrawal;
Emotional distance
Distance
The interval between two times;
The distance from birth to death
It all happened in the space of 10 minutes
Distance
A remote point in time;
If that happens it will be at some distance in the future
At a distance of ten years he had forgotten many of the details
Distance
Keep at a distance;
We have to distance ourselves from these events in order to continue living
Distance
Go far ahead of;
He outdistanced the other runners
Common Curiosities
Does distance depend on direction?
No, distance measures the length of the path traveled without direction.
What units are used to measure displacement and distance?
Both are typically measured in meters or kilometers.
Can you calculate average velocity using distance?
No, average velocity is calculated using displacement, not distance.
Can distance ever decrease?
No, distance traveled can only increase or stay the same.
How can displacement be zero?
Displacement is zero when the starting and ending points are the same.
Can displacement be greater than distance?
No, displacement is at most equal to the distance when the path is straight.
In what scenarios is it useful to calculate displacement?
Calculating displacement is useful in physics for understanding motion along a straight path.
How do displacement and distance relate to speed and velocity?
Speed is the scalar magnitude of velocity, based on distance, while velocity depends on displacement.
Are there any common misunderstandings about displacement and distance?
A common misunderstanding is equating them when discussing movement; they can vastly differ depending on the path.
What is a practical example of displacement affecting a decision?
In navigation, choosing a straight path (displacement) saves time over a longer curved route (distance).
Why is understanding both concepts important in physics?
Understanding both helps in accurately describing and analyzing motion.
How is displacement shown on a graph?
Displacement is shown as a straight line vector from the initial to the final position on a graph.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
