Displacement differs from distance in that:

Displacement is defined as the shortest path between the initial and final positions of an object, and it inherently includes a directional component. This means that when calculating displacement, one considers both the length of the straight line drawn from the starting point to the endpoint and the direction of that line. For example, if an object moves in a circular path and returns to its original position, the displacement is zero because there is no change in position, even though the distance covered along the path is significant.

This emphasis on direction differentiates displacement from distance, which is a scalar quantity that measures the total length of the path traveled, regardless of direction. Therefore, displacement being a vector quantity that incorporates direction is fundamental to understanding why it can yield different values than distance for the same journey. This distinction is essential in physics and helps to clarify concepts such as motion and kinematics.