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.

Short answer

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

Step-by-step solution

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.

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 $\mathbf{+}\mathbf{6}\mathbf{m}$