A motion sandbox. Set the car's velocity, watch it drive, and see distance and displacement graphed at the same time. Drive backward to discover how they differ!
A distance and displacement vs. time simulation. Best with sound on.
Velocity Lab
Set a velocity, then press Start. Try a negative velocity to drive backward and watch the graphs disagree. Click the car to honk!
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Time0 s
Distance0 m
Displacement0 m
2.0 m/s forward
Both graphs use the same scale: 1 meter is the same height on each, so you can compare them directly. The displacement graph is taller because it also shows negative values (driving backward).
Distance vs. Time
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Displacement vs. Time
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Turn on sound?
This lab has an engine sound while driving and a horn when you click the car. Want sound on? You can change it any time with the toggle.
How to Use the Lab
This is a sandbox, there's no score. Just explore how a car's motion looks on two different graphs.
Steps
Set the velocity with the slider. Positive drives forward (right), negative drives backward (left), zero stays still.
Press Start. The car drives for 10 seconds and both graphs draw a point each second.
Change velocity mid-drive if you like, the lines will bend to follow it.
Press Reset to clear the graphs and bring the car home.
Click or tap the car to honk the horn.
Try this
Drive forward a few seconds, then switch to a negative velocity. Watch the distance line keep climbing while the displacement line comes back down.
Learn the Science
Both graphs plot how the car moves over time, but they measure two different things.
Distance
Distance is the total ground covered, no matter which way you go. It only ever increases (or stays flat if you stop). Drive 10 m forward then 10 m back, and your distance is 20 m.
Displacement
Displacement is how far you are from where you started, and in which direction. It can go up, down, or even negative. Drive 10 m forward then 10 m back, and your displacement is 0, you're right where you began.
See the difference
Forward at 5 m/s for 2 s, then backward at 5 m/s for 2 s:
Distance keeps going up (10 m, then 20 m)Displacement goes up, then back down to 0
Why it matters
Distance answers "how far did you travel?" Displacement answers "how far did you end up from the start?" The difference is the heart of understanding motion, and it's why we use both speed (from distance) and velocity (from displacement, with direction).
Please use this form to provide any anonymous feedback you have. Thank you!
This simulation was made possible with support from the Chesapeake Education Foundation and the Dollar Bank Foundation.