Question

Explain the difference between pathlength and displacement with the help of an example.

Answer 1

distance = the total lenght of path coverred
displacement= the shortest path between the final and initial points

Answer 2

Answer:

Pathlength is the total distance covered whereas displacement is the shortest distance between the initial and final position.

Explanation:

For example:- a runner running around a circular track with a radius of 7 m.

After one round his path length will be the circumference of the circle

which will be  2πr                    

∴ Path lenght =  2πr = 2x 22/7x7 =2x22=44 m

But he will end up in the same place he started from.

So his initial position is his final position.

∴ His displacement would be zero whereas his pathlength will be 44m    

Sorry if it is a bit messy