CBSE Class 11-science Answered

Magnitude of displacement refers the shortest distance from the initial to the final position in a given interval of time for the particle ; it is independent of the path followed whereas the total length of the path covered by the particle over the same interval refers to the actual distance travelled by the particle in the given time interval.

Example : Suppose a particle starts from point A , travels making a circle of radius R and reaches the same point A

Here, displacement = 0

            distance = circumference of the circle = 2  R.