Meaning of distance (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Distance:

A distance is called the space between two things. It can be events in time: "The distance between the scream and the outburst was short"; or of things in space: "Between that tree and us there is a distance of three meters." It comes from the Latin distantĭa , which refers to the 'quality of being away'.

Distance can also refer to the difference that is recognized between some things and others: "The distance between the appearance of the horse and the zebra is narrow."

The distance may also be associated with the withdrawal or the disaffection that occurs between two people, "Jose Manuel put distance Sandra".

On the other hand, the expression “at a distance” refers to those activities that can be carried out using telecommunications, such as the internet, postal mail, and the telephone. For example: conducting distance studies, offering remote technical assistance, etc. In this sense, it is also used as an equivalent to far or apart.

For its part, the expression keeping distance refers to taking in front of other people who are not trustworthy or in whom good intentions are not recognized, an attitude without too much trust or without establishing a very cordial treatment.

Distance in Mathematics

In Mathematics, the length of the line segment that joins two points represented in Euclidean space is defined as distance. As such, it is expressed numerically.

Distance in Geometry

In Geometry, distance is considered the length, taken in a straight line, of the space between two points. Likewise, the length of the line segment that lies between a point and the foot of the perpendicular, drawn from it to a line or plane, is also called the distance.

Distance in Physics

In Physics, distance is the total length of the path taken by a moving object between two points. As such, it is expressed in a scalar magnitude, using units of length, mainly the meter, according to the International System of Units.

Distance traveled

According to Physics, the distance traveled can be defined as the space traveled. In this sense, when a moving object makes its path it does so by traveling through a space. As such, the distance traveled will therefore be the total of the space traveled expressed in units of length, basically the meter.

Distance and displacement

In Physics, distance is the total length traveled by a moving object in its path. As such, it is a scalar magnitude, and is therefore expressed in units of length.

The displacement, on the other hand, is a vector quantity, where the vector that represents the displacement has its origin point at the initial position, and its term at the end. Hence its modulus is the straight-line distance between the start and end positions.

See also:

• Displacement, magnitude.