Can the distance travelled by on an object be smaller than magnitude o...
No,distance can be equal to or more than displacement but distance can't be smaller than magnitude of it's displacement.
Can the distance travelled by on an object be smaller than magnitude o...
**Introduction**
The distance travelled by an object refers to the total path length covered by the object, whereas the magnitude of displacement refers to the shortest distance between the initial and final positions of the object. In certain situations, it is possible for the distance travelled to be smaller than the magnitude of displacement.
**Explanation**
1. **Understanding Distance Travelled:** Distance travelled is a scalar quantity and is always positive or zero. It represents the total length of the path covered by an object, regardless of the direction. It is calculated by summing up all the individual displacements along the path.
2. **Understanding Displacement:** Displacement is a vector quantity and can be positive, negative, or zero. It represents the change in position of an object, considering only the initial and final positions. It is calculated as the straight-line distance between the initial and final positions, along with the direction.
3. **Example Scenario:** To better understand how the distance travelled can be smaller than the magnitude of displacement, consider the following scenario. Suppose an object starts at point A and moves to point B, which is located at a higher elevation. After reaching point B, the object returns back to point A.
4. **Magnitude of Displacement:** In this scenario, the magnitude of displacement would be equal to the straight-line distance between points A and B. It only considers the initial and final positions and ignores the path taken. Let's assume this distance to be 10 meters.
5. **Distance Travelled:** The distance travelled would be the sum of the distances covered during the forward and backward journeys. As the object moves up and down between A and B, the total distance travelled would be the sum of the distances covered in both directions. Let's assume this total distance to be 15 meters.
6. **Result:** In this scenario, the distance travelled (15 meters) is greater than the magnitude of displacement (10 meters). This is because the object covers a longer path while moving up and down, even though the straight-line distance between the initial and final positions is shorter.
**Conclusion**
In conclusion, it is possible for the distance travelled by an object to be smaller than the magnitude of its displacement. This occurs when the object follows a path that includes backtracking or changes in direction, resulting in a longer total path length. Displacement, on the other hand, only considers the initial and final positions and their straight-line distance.
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