Chapter 2, Problem 1FC

To determine

The correct option.

Answer to Problem 1FC

The correct option is, “(b) Displacement is a vector, while distance is not a vector”.

Explanation of Solution

Formula used:

Write the expression for average speed as follows:

$\text{Average speed}=\frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Elapsed time}}$ (1)

Explanation:

Re-arrange Equation (1) as follows:

$\text{Distance}=\left(\text{Average speed}\right)\left(\text{Elapsed time}\right)$

The displacement is difference between the final and the initial position of an object.

Find the displacement as per the equation given below:

$\text{Displacement}=\text{Final position}-\text{Initial position}$

Distance conveys information only about the magnitude. Displacement is a vector that conveys the magnitude and direction. Therefore, displacement is a vector, while the distance is not a vector. Therefore, option (b) is correct and options (a) and (c) are incorrect.

Conclusion:

Hence, the correct option is, “(b) Displacement is a vector, while distance is not a vector”.