Distance and Displacement

Motion is the change of position of an object from one place to another.

There are two types of motions:

1. Circular motion - Is the motion of an object in a circle. Examples; a/. Motion of the electron around the nucleus of an atom b/. revolutionary movement of the earth around the sun.
2. Linear motion - Is the motion of an object in a straight line.

Distance and displacement

Distance Is the length between two points or two objects. It is a scalar quantity i.e. it has a magnitude only but no direction. Its symbol is X or S and the SI unit is meter (m). Other units used are Kilometer (km) and Centimeter (cm)

Displacement Is the distance in a specific direction. It is a vector quantity i.e. it has both magnitude and direction.

Differences between distance and displacement

Distance	Displacement
Is the length moved by an object between two points	Is the distance in a specific direction
It is a scalar quantity	It is a vector quantity

The SI units of distance and displacement

The SI unit of Distance is centimeter (cm)

The SI unit of Displacement is meter (M)