A car travels from point A to point B in a zigzag path, covering a total distance of 200 meters. If the shortest straight-line distance between A and B is 120 meters, which statement best describes the car’s distance and displacement?
The distance is 200 meters; the displacement is 120 meters
To solve this question, let's clearly understand the terms "distance" and "displacement" in physics:
- Distance is the total path length covered by an object, regardless of the direction. It is a scalar quantity, which means it only has magnitude.
- Displacement is the shortest straight-line distance between the initial and final positions of an object. It is a vector quantity, which means it has both magnitude and direction.
Given:
- The car travels a zigzag path from point A to point B covering a total distance of 200 meters.
- The shortest straight-line distance (displacement) between points A and B is 120 meters.
From these definitions and the given data, we can deduce:
- The total distance traveled by the car is the actual path length covered, which is 200 meters.
- The displacement is the shortest path between the start and end points of the car, which is 120 meters, as given.
Therefore, the correct statement describing the car's journey is:
The distance is 200 meters; the displacement is 120 meters.
Let's evaluate the options given:
- The distance is 200 meters; the displacement is 200 meters - Incorrect, because the displacement is the shortest line, which is provided as 120 meters.
- The distance is 120 meters; the displacement is 120 meters - Incorrect, because the total path length (distance) is specified as 200 meters.
- The distance is 120 meters; the displacement is 200 meters - Incorrect, as this reverses the roles of distance and displacement.
- The distance is 200 meters; the displacement is 120 meters - Correct, as it correctly describes the car's journey.
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Important Questions from Speed and Velocity
The basic unit of speed of an object is ______.
Which of the following quantities specifies its speed with direction?
- Which of the following represents non-uniform linear velocity?
- Which of the following describes the nature of the average speed?
- An object moving at 25 m/s is brought to rest in 5 seconds. The final velocity is _________.
