BRAINCAKEDistance-Time vs Displacement-Time Graphs
Plotting both graphs for the same motion shows the difference between distance and displacement. Distance is a scalar and can only increase, while displacement is a vector and can increase, decrease or become negative.
Consider a ball thrown vertically upwards and caught at the same height. On the way up, the distance travelled and the displacement are the same, so the two graphs are identical until the ball reaches its maximum height.
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