Question

Write whether the distance is smaller, greater or equal to displacement in each of the following

cases.

a) A man travelling from the point A to B in a straight line.

b) A man travelling from the point A to B and back to A.

c) An athlete completes one round of a circular path.

d) An athlete completing half the round of a circular path.

e) A cycle moving from point A to B as shown in the figure.​

Answer 1

Answer:

B) A man travelling from the point A to B and back to A

Answer 2

Comparison of the distance with displacement in the given cases, are as follows -

• Here, the man travels in a straight line. So, the travelled distance will be equal to the total displacement. (distance = displacement)
• Here, the man travels in a straight line for two times, and come backs at the initial point. Here, the travel distance will be twice than of the distance between A and B. And, the displacement will be zero in this case, as the starting and ending point are same. (distance > displacement)
• Here, the travelled distance is the length of the circumference of the circular path. And, the displacement is zero because here the starting point and endpoint are also same. (distance > displacement)
• Here, the travelled distance is the length of the circumference of the semicircular path. And, the displacement is the length of the diameter of the semicircular path. (distance > displacement)