Q1PE - College Physics (Urone)

Question

Find the following for path A in Figure 2.59: 

(a) The distance travelled. 

(b) The magnitude of the displacement from start to finish. 

(c) The displacement from start to finish.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

1. 6 m
2. 6
3. +6 m

Step 1: Distance and displacement

The distance is the total length of the path covered by the body. Its unit is a meter. It is a scalar quantity.

Displacement is the shortest length from the initial and final position. 

It is a vector quantity. It is measured by unit m. 

If the path is a straight line, only then the distance and displacement will be equal.

Step 2: For particle A, distance and displacement

                                           Path of particle A

1. The distance traveled by particle A is  $\mathbf{6}\mathbf{meters}$ .
2. The magnitude of the displacement, in this case, will be the same as the distance as it is a straight path which is $\mathbf{6}\mathbf{meters}$ .
3. The direction of the displacement would be  $\mathbf{+}\mathbf{6}\mathbf{m}$