Distance Traveled and Displacement

The language current does not always coincide with scientific language. This is what happens with the two concepts that we analyze. Thus, in the communication everyday distance traveled and displacement They are terms that express the same idea, but the same does not happen if we speak in the language of physics.

Difference between both

If a straight line is drawn between point A and point B, its measurement corresponds to the displacement. Instead, the specific path that is made between A and B is the distance traveled. Therefore, in a movement of 100 meters it is possible to use a much greater distance traveled, since between point A and B a series of intermediate movements are made that are not in a straight line in all cases.

Distance is the space traveled by an object during its movement, while displacement refers to the distance and direction of the final position relative to the initial position of an object. The distance traveled is a scalar quantity, which implies that it has a measure quantity.

The displacement, on the other hand, is a vector quantity, so it is expressed by a quantity, a Unit measurement and direction. Both the distance and the displacement are expressed in meters.

A concrete example

Let's imagine that someone walks around a swimming pool and travels 15 meters in a north direction, then 10 meters in a west direction, and finally another 15 meters in a south direction. In this case, the distance traveled is equal to the sum of the different distances traveled, that is, a total of 40 meters (15 m + 10 m + 15m). The displacement is the distance in a straight line and in this case it reaches 10 meters.

Kinematics is the science that studies motion

In a general way, it can be said that something moves when it changes position with respect to a point that is considered fixed and that is known as a reference point. However, all possible landmarks in the universe are in motion.

Although it may not seem like it at first glance, our planet is constantly moving, so the idea of ​​a fixed point is relative. In practice we conceive the Earth as if it were not in motion and to explain the phenomena where it is travel distances we use concepts associated with movement, such as the distance traveled or the displacement.

The kinematics studies the different types of movement depending on the trajectory. Knowing the trajectory of the movement of any object can be very important in some fields of knowledge.

Photos: Fotolia - zeber / savanno