Question
Explain clearly, with examples, the distinction between :
(a) magnitude of displacement (sometimes called distance) over an interval of time,
and the total length of path covered by a particle over the same interval
Solution
The magnitude of displacement over an interval of time is the shortest distance (which is a straight line) between the initial and final positions of the particle.
The actual path length covered by the particle in a given interval of time is the total length of the path covered by the particle.
Consider, for example, a particle moves from point A to point B and then, comes back to a point, C taking a total time t.
Displacement of the particle = AC
Total path length = AB + BC
Magnitude of displacement can never be greater than the total path length. However, in some cases, both quantities are equal to each other.
The actual path length covered by the particle in a given interval of time is the total length of the path covered by the particle.
Consider, for example, a particle moves from point A to point B and then, comes back to a point, C taking a total time t.
Displacement of the particle = AC
Total path length = AB + BC
Magnitude of displacement can never be greater than the total path length. However, in some cases, both quantities are equal to each other.
