Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Total distance traveled refers to the sum of all distances covered by an object during its entire journey, regardless of any changes in direction.
Related terms
Path Length: Path length represents the actual length covered by an object along its curved path, taking into account any changes in direction.
Scalar Quantity: Total distance traveled is considered a scalar quantity because it only has magnitude (size) and does not include direction.
Net Displacement: Net displacement is the overall change in position of an object, considering both distance and direction. It may be different from the total distance traveled if there were changes in direction.