Question

Compare and contrast distance and displacement.

Answer 1

Displacement is how far two things are separated in a 'crow's flight' measure. Distance is how far someone has travelled. For instance two towns are separated by a 'straight line' measure of 6 miles, so the displacement between them is 6 miles. If you walk between the two and measure the amount you travel you find that 'Farmer Ted' has his asparagus field in your path and you have to walk an extra mile around this. So the distance between the two towns you travel is 7 miles.

Answer 2

distance= from A to B to C
displacement= A to C (shortest path)