Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
6th Edition
ISBN: 9781429281843
Author: Tipler
Publisher: MAC HIGHER
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 3, Problem 1P
To determine

To Find: Magnitude of the displacement is less than or more than the distance travelled.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 1P

Magnitude of the displacement is always less than or equals to the distance travelled.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Distance can be defined as the total path length travelled by a body. Its S.I. unit is m and it can be calculated as:

  s=vt

Where,

  v is the speed of the body

  t is the time taken

Displacement can be defined as the path difference between the initial and final position of the body. It is the minimum distance between two points.

Its S.I. unit is m and can be calculated as:

  s=finalposition-initial position

Here are some examples,

  Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Chapter 3, Problem 1P , additional homework tip  1

Consider a body is travelling along a straight line from A to B and then B to C.

Total distance travelled by the body =AC+BC

Displacement of the body =AB=AC+BC

Consider a body is moving in a circular path of radius R . After reaching its initial position the body stops.

Since, AB+BC>AB+BC

Therefore, distance travelled > displacement

  Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Chapter 3, Problem 1P , additional homework tip  2

Total distance traveled by the body = circumference of the circle =2πR

Displacement of the body = final position − initial position.

Here body come to its initial position after revolution

Therefore,

final position = initial position

hence,

Displacement of the body =0

Again, distance > displacement

  Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Chapter 3, Problem 1P , additional homework tip  3

Consider a body travelling in a straight line from A to B

Distance travelled = AB

Displacement = AB

Here, Displacement = Distance travelled

Conclusion:

Displacement of a body can never be greater than the distance travelled by the body. It is either equal to the distance travelled by the body or less than it.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
If you know the position vectors of a particle at two points along its path and also know the time it took to get from one point to the other, can you determine the particle’s instantaneous velocity? Its average velocity? Explain.
If the velocity of a particle is zero, can the particle's acceleration be zero? Give an example. If the velocity of a particle is not zero, can the particle's acceleration be zero? Give an example.
An astronaut orbits Earth in the space shuttle. In one completeorbit, is the magnitude of the displacement the same as the distance traveled? Explain.

Chapter 3 Solutions

Physics for Scientists and Engineers

Ch. 3 - Prob. 11PCh. 3 - Prob. 12PCh. 3 - Prob. 13PCh. 3 - Prob. 14PCh. 3 - Prob. 15PCh. 3 - Prob. 16PCh. 3 - Prob. 17PCh. 3 - Prob. 18PCh. 3 - Prob. 19PCh. 3 - Prob. 20PCh. 3 - Prob. 21PCh. 3 - Prob. 22PCh. 3 - Prob. 23PCh. 3 - Prob. 24PCh. 3 - Prob. 25PCh. 3 - Prob. 26PCh. 3 - Prob. 27PCh. 3 - Prob. 28PCh. 3 - Prob. 29PCh. 3 - Prob. 30PCh. 3 - Prob. 31PCh. 3 - Prob. 32PCh. 3 - Prob. 33PCh. 3 - Prob. 34PCh. 3 - Prob. 35PCh. 3 - Prob. 36PCh. 3 - Prob. 37PCh. 3 - Prob. 38PCh. 3 - Prob. 39PCh. 3 - Prob. 40PCh. 3 - Prob. 41PCh. 3 - Prob. 42PCh. 3 - Prob. 43PCh. 3 - Prob. 44PCh. 3 - Prob. 45PCh. 3 - Prob. 46PCh. 3 - Prob. 47PCh. 3 - Prob. 48PCh. 3 - Prob. 49PCh. 3 - Prob. 50PCh. 3 - Prob. 51PCh. 3 - Prob. 52PCh. 3 - Prob. 53PCh. 3 - Prob. 54PCh. 3 - Prob. 55PCh. 3 - Prob. 56PCh. 3 - Prob. 57PCh. 3 - Prob. 58PCh. 3 - Prob. 59PCh. 3 - Prob. 60PCh. 3 - Prob. 61PCh. 3 - Prob. 62PCh. 3 - Prob. 63PCh. 3 - Prob. 64PCh. 3 - Prob. 65PCh. 3 - Prob. 66PCh. 3 - Prob. 67PCh. 3 - Prob. 68PCh. 3 - Prob. 69PCh. 3 - Prob. 70PCh. 3 - Prob. 71PCh. 3 - Prob. 72PCh. 3 - Prob. 73PCh. 3 - Prob. 74PCh. 3 - Prob. 75PCh. 3 - Prob. 76PCh. 3 - Prob. 77PCh. 3 - Prob. 78PCh. 3 - Prob. 79PCh. 3 - Prob. 80PCh. 3 - Prob. 81PCh. 3 - Prob. 82PCh. 3 - Prob. 83PCh. 3 - Prob. 84PCh. 3 - Prob. 85PCh. 3 - Prob. 86PCh. 3 - Prob. 87PCh. 3 - Prob. 88PCh. 3 - Prob. 89PCh. 3 - Prob. 90PCh. 3 - Prob. 91PCh. 3 - Prob. 92PCh. 3 - Prob. 93PCh. 3 - Prob. 94PCh. 3 - Prob. 95PCh. 3 - Prob. 96PCh. 3 - Prob. 97PCh. 3 - Prob. 98PCh. 3 - Prob. 99PCh. 3 - Prob. 100PCh. 3 - Prob. 101PCh. 3 - Prob. 102PCh. 3 - Prob. 103PCh. 3 - Prob. 104PCh. 3 - Prob. 105PCh. 3 - Prob. 106PCh. 3 - Prob. 107PCh. 3 - Prob. 108PCh. 3 - Prob. 109PCh. 3 - Prob. 110PCh. 3 - Prob. 111PCh. 3 - Prob. 112PCh. 3 - Prob. 113PCh. 3 - Prob. 114PCh. 3 - Prob. 115PCh. 3 - Prob. 116PCh. 3 - Prob. 117PCh. 3 - Prob. 118PCh. 3 - Prob. 119PCh. 3 - Prob. 120PCh. 3 - Prob. 121PCh. 3 - Prob. 122P
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Physics
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Physics
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
University Physics Volume 1
Physics
ISBN:9781938168277
Author:William Moebs, Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny
Publisher:OpenStax - Rice University
Text book image
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:9781285737027
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Glencoe Physics: Principles and Problems, Student...
Physics
ISBN:9780078807213
Author:Paul W. Zitzewitz
Publisher:Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
Text book image
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics
ISBN:9781337553278
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern ...
Physics
ISBN:9781337553292
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Position/Velocity/Acceleration Part 1: Definitions; Author: Professor Dave explains;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dCrkp8qgLU;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY