Question

2. A particle starts from the origin, goes along the X-axis
to the point (20 m, 0) and then returns along the same
line to the point -20 m, 0). Find the distance and
displacement of the particle during the trip

Answer 1

Distance: Actual path length travelled front initial to final point.

Displacement: Shortest path between initial and final point.

Solution:

lets first draw the path of object.

• object moves from O to A then return to O and goes to final point B
• OA = 20m , OB = 20m
• During the motion:

Distance

• OA + AO + OB
• 20 + 20 + 20 = 60m

Displacement

• shortest path between initial and final points
• initial point = 0 , final point = B
• OB = 20m (in negative x-axis)

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Answer 2

Explanation:

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Distance: Actual path length travelled front initial to final point.

Displacement: Shortest path between initial and final point.

Solution:

lets first draw the path of object.

object moves from O to A then return to O and goes to final point B

OA = 20m , OB = 20m

During the motion:

Distance

OA + AO + OB

20 + 20 + 20 = 60m

Displacement

shortest path between initial and final points

initial point = 0 , final point = B

OB = 20m (in negative x-axis)

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