Question

Is displacement a scalar quantity ?

Answer 1

Hint: Scalar quantity is defined as the physical quantity with magnitude and no direction. Some physical quantities can be described by their numerical value without directions. Examples- Mass, speed, distance, volume etc. A vector quantity is defined as the physical quantity that has both direction as well as magnitude. Examples–Force, acceleration, momentum, angular velocity etc.

Complete answer:
As we know that scalar quantity is that physical quantity with magnitude and no direction while a vector quantity is that physical quantity which has both magnitude as well as direction. Displacement is the direct length between any two points when measured along the minimum path between them. In case of displacement both magnitude and direction present and also depends upon both magnitude and direction so we can say that displacement is not a scalar quantity, it is a vector quantity.

Hence, Displacement is a vector quantity.

Note: Distance is defined as the complete length of the path between any two points. It is a scalar quantity as it only depends upon the magnitude and not the direction. It can have only positive values whereas Displacement is the direct length between any two points when measured along the minimum path between them. It is a vector quantity as it depends upon both magnitude and direction .It can be positive , negative and even zero.
To calculate distance the direction is not considered while to calculate displacement the direction is taken into consideration.