(N/A) The path length and the magnitude of displacement are the same when an object moves in a straight line in a single direction without changing its direction of motion.
For example,based on the provided number line,consider the motion of a car from $O$ to $P$:
- The path length is $360 \ m$.
- The displacement is $360 \ m$.
In this case,the magnitude of displacement is equal to the path length.
However,consider the motion of the car from $O$ to $P$ and then back to $Q$:
- The path length = $(360 \ m) + (120 \ m) = 480 \ m$.
- The displacement = $(240 \ m) - (0 \ m) = 240 \ m$.
In this case,the magnitude of displacement $(240 \ m)$ is not equal to the path length $(480 \ m)$.