Displacement vs Distance
This simulation demonstrates that displacement and distance are different concepts in physics. All skaters travel from point P to Q on a circular ice rink, but follow different paths. While their displacements are identical (straight-line distance from start to end), the distances they actually travel vary greatly. This distinction is crucial for understanding motion in physics.
What you'll learn: Displacement measures the shortest distance and direction between two points, while distance measures the actual path length traveled. Even though all four skaters end at the same destination, their journeys reveal why physics treats these quantities separately.
Key Observations
✓ All skaters have the same displacement: 400 m (diameter P→Q)
✓ Skater A's path length equals displacement (straight line is shortest path)
✓ Skaters B, C, D travel longer distances despite same displacement
