Is Path Length the Same as Displacement?

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SUMMARY

Path length and displacement are fundamentally different concepts in physics. Path length refers to the total distance traveled along a specific route, while displacement measures the shortest distance from the initial to the final position, accounting for direction. In the context of the discussion, an example illustrates that one can have a significant path length while having zero displacement, such as when using the same desktop computer without changing location.

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Displacment and path lenght...

Is path length the same as displacement?
 
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Miike012 said:
Is path length the same as displacement?

No.

Consider your path length between posting this question, and reading this response.
There is a chance that your displacement during that time is zero - especially if you used the same desk-top computer each time. However you have possibly traveled a large distance - have a large path length - during that time.
 

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