Distance and displacement are two quantities that may seem to mean the same thing yet have distinctly different definitions and meanings.
(i) Distance : Distance is a scalar quantity that refers to the length of the path covered by the object regardless of its starting or ending position. In other words, distance refers to the length of the entire path travelled by the object.
Unit of distance = meter in M.K.S. system
= centimeter in C.G.S. system
Unit of displacement = meter in M.K.S. system
= centimeter in C.G.S. system.
(ii) Displacement : Displacement is a vector quantity that refers to the shortest distance between the two positions of the object i.e, the difference between the final and initial positions of the object, in a given time. Its direction is from initial to final position of the object. It is represented by the vector drawn from the initial position to its final position.
