Asked by Sigma

What is the difference between distance and displacement?

a
Distance is a measure of length of travel. Displacement is the measure of the time it takes to move that length
b
Distance is the length of travel. Displacement is the straight line distance between the starting point and the ending point
c
Distance is the difference between how quickly you move between two points. Displacement is the average of that motion
d
Distance is measured in feet. Displacement is measured in meters

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Correct answer: b

Explanation: Distance is the total length of the path traveled (a scalar, always nonnegative). Displacement is the straight-line vector from the starting point to the ending point (has magnitude and direction). For example, walking 3 m east then 4 m west gives distance 7 m but displacement 1 m east. Options a, c and d are incorrect (displacement is not a time or an average rate, and both distance and displacement use the same units).