A Particle is moving in a circle of diameter 5m .what is its distance ...
Distance and Displacement of a Particle Moving in a Circle
Definitions:
- Distance: The total length covered by an object during its motion.
- Displacement: The change in position of an object from its initial position to its final position in a particular direction.
Calculating Distance:
When a particle moves in a circle, it covers the circumference of the circle in one revolution. The formula for the circumference of a circle is:
Circumference = 2πr
Here, the diameter of the circle is given as 5m, so the radius of the circle would be:
Radius = Diameter / 2 = 5m / 2 = 2.5m
Using the formula for circumference, we get:
Circumference = 2π(2.5m) = 15.7m
Therefore, the distance covered by the particle in one revolution is 15.7m.
Calculating Displacement:
The displacement of the particle is the straight-line distance between its initial and final positions. As the particle completes one revolution, its initial and final positions coincide. Therefore, its displacement is zero.
Explanation:
When a particle moves in a circle, it covers a certain distance along the circumference of the circle. However, its displacement is zero because its initial and final positions coincide. This is because displacement takes into account the direction of motion, whereas distance does not. In the case of circular motion, the direction of motion changes continuously, resulting in a zero displacement even though the particle covers a certain distance.