What is distance in physics?
PhysicsClass 10CBSEAnswered 28 May 2026
Answer
Distance is the total length of the path travelled by an object, regardless of direction. It is a scalar quantity always positive.
| Feature | Distance | Displacement |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Scalar | Vector |
| Direction | No | Yes |
| Can be negative? | No | Yes |
Example: Walk 4 km east and 3 km north → Distance = 7 km; Displacement = 5 km (northeast).
Distance is the total path length covered, a scalar quantity that ignores direction and is always non-negative.
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