Question

For motion on a curved path with constant acceleration, the ratio of the magnitude of the distance to

the displacement covered is

A) < 1 B) < 1 C) > 1 D) = 1​

Answer 1

Explanation:

Magnitude of displacement is the difference between the starting and ending positions. For a curved path, it is equal to the chord length.

Distance covered is the sum of all the incremental displacements along the path. It is equal to the circumference of the path segment.

The desired ratio…

(magnitude of displacement / distance covered)

can not be determined by acceleration. It requires a radius of rotation to determine the curvature.