The displacement of a moving object in a given interval of time is zero. Would the distance travelled by the object also be zero? Justify your answer.
(B) No,the distance travelled by the object would not necessarily be zero.
Displacement is a vector quantity defined as the shortest distance between the initial and final positions,whereas distance is a scalar quantity representing the total path length covered by the object.
Displacement becomes zero when an object returns to its starting point (initial position = final position) after completing a journey.
However,the object has still covered a path to return to the start,meaning the total distance travelled is greater than zero.
For example,if an athlete runs one complete lap around a circular track,their displacement is $0$,but the distance travelled is equal to the circumference of the track $(2 \pi r)$.
Displacement is a vector quantity defined as the shortest distance between the initial and final positions,whereas distance is a scalar quantity representing the total path length covered by the object.
Displacement becomes zero when an object returns to its starting point (initial position = final position) after completing a journey.
However,the object has still covered a path to return to the start,meaning the total distance travelled is greater than zero.
For example,if an athlete runs one complete lap around a circular track,their displacement is $0$,but the distance travelled is equal to the circumference of the track $(2 \pi r)$.
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