Chapter 5.1, Problem 16SSC

To determine

To Explain:Whether the distance is equal to the magnitude of the displacement.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Distance is the whole path length covered whereas displacement is the shortest length between the initial and final position.

The distance you walk is not always equal to the magnitude of the displacement. For an instance, when you walk on a circular track and come back to the initial position, your displacement is zero but the distance covered is equal to the circumference of the circular track.

Conclusion:

Thus, the magnitude of the displacement is not always equal to the distance.