Question

In which of the following cases is the displacement's magnitude half the distance travelled?
(1) 10 steps east followed by 3 steps west
(2) 22 steps east followed by 11 steps west
(3) 5 steps east followed by 10 steps west
(4) 15 steps east followed by 5 steps west

Answer 1

answer is (4) 15 steps east followed by 5 steps west.

Answer 2

answer : option (d)

explanation : we have given,

magnitude of displacement = half the magnitude of distance travelled

we know, displacement is the minimum separation between starting point to finishing point and distance is the actual length of path travelled.

Let's check all options,

(a) displacement = 10 - 3 = 7
distance = 10 + 3 = 13
hence, displacement ≠ half of distance

(b) displacement = 22 - 11 = 11
distance = 22 + 11 = 33
hence, displacement ≠ half of distance

(c) displacement = 5 - 10 = -5
distance = 5 + 10 = 15
hence, displacement ≠ half of distance

(d) displacement = 15 - 5 = 10
distance = 15 + 5 = 20
hence, displacement = half of distance

so, option (D) is correct.