Question

16. If a space shuttle orbits Earth once, what is the shuttle's distance traveled
and displacement?
1 Distance and displacement both are zero.
2. Distance is circumference of the circular orbit while displacement is zero.
3 Distance is zero while the displacement is circumference of the circular
orbit.
4. Distance and displacement both are equal to circumference of the circular
orbit.​

Answer 1

Explanation:

2. Distance is circumference of the circular orbit while displacement is zero. $\checkmark$

As per the provided information in the given question, we have :

• A space shuttle orbits Earth once.
• Orbit is in the circular shape.

We are asked to find the distance and displacement of the space shuttle.

Firstly, we need to understand what is meant by distance and displacement.

Distance means the total length of the path covered by the body.

★ Finding distance :

→ Distance covered by the shuttle = Total length of the path

Since, it is revolving in a fixed path called orbit. So, total length of the orbit will be equal to the total length of the path.

→ Distance covered by the shuttle = Total length of the orbit

Orbit is in the shape of circle. So, total length of the orbit means perimeter of the circular orbit.

→ Distance covered by the shuttle = Circumference of the circular orbit

★ Calculating displacement :

Displacement means the shortest distance from initial position to final position. But when the body comes back to its initial position after covering a certain distance, then its displacement is becomes 0.

$\longrightarrow$ Suppose the shuttle starts revolving from point A.

Now, after taking a revolution once, it'll come back again to its initial point; that is A. So, it comes back to its initial position after covering a certain distance, therefore its displacement is 0.

→ Displacement = Zero

Answer 2

Answer:

Correct answer is Option 2.

Distance is circumference of the circular orbit while the displacement is zero.