Displacement Vs Distance
Easyphysics
A particle moves from x = 0 m to x = 5 m then back to x = 2 m. Distance travelled and displacement are?
Select the correct option:
Solution
Incorrect! Answer:
8 m, 2 m
- Distance: The total path length covered.
- First leg: 0→5, distance = 5 m.
- Second leg: 5→2, distance = ∣2−5∣=3 m.
- Total distance = 5+3=8 m.
- Displacement: The change in position, regardless of the path.
- Initial position xi=0.
- Final position xf=2.
- Displacement = xf−xi=2−0=2 m. Therefore, the distance is 8 m and displacement is 2 m.
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About This Question
- Subject
- physics
- Chapter
- kinematics
- Topic
- displacement vs distance
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
8 m, 2 m
- Distance: The total path length covered.
- First leg: 0→5, distance = 5 m.
- Second leg: 5→2, distance = ∣2−5∣=3 m.
- Total distance = 5+3=8 m.
- Displacement: The change in position, regardless of the path.
- Initial position xi=0.
- Final position xf=2.
- Displacement = xf−xi=2−0=2 m. Therefore, the distance is 8 m and displacement is 2 m.
This easy difficulty physics question is from the chapter kinematics, covering the topic of displacement vs distance. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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