Which of the following statements about distance and displacement is not correct?

Step 1: Analyze the question We are asked to find the statement that is not correct about distance and displacement. So three options are true and one is false.

Step 2: Key concepts

• Distance is the total length of the path travelled. It is a scalar quantity (magnitude only, no direction).
• Displacement is the shortest straight-line distance from the starting point to the end point, in a specified direction. It is a vector quantity (magnitude and direction).
• Both are lengths, so both have the dimension L and are measured in metres (m) in SI units.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Displacement is a vector quantity. Correct, because it has both magnitude and direction.
• B. Distance has dimension. Correct. Distance has the dimension of length, [L].
• C. Displacement is measured in meters. Correct. The SI unit of displacement is the metre.
• D. Distance is a vector quantity. Incorrect. Distance is a scalar, since it has magnitude only.

Step 4: Answer The statement that is not correct is D.

Exam tip: Remember "Distance = Directionless" (scalar), while "Displacement = Direction included" (vector). When a question says "not correct", look for the false statement, not the true one. Many students lose marks by misreading this.