Explain with an example that the magnitude of displacement may be zero but the corresponding path length is not zero.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Consider a car starting from the origin $O$ $(0 \ m)$,moving to point $P$ $(360 \ m)$,and then returning to the origin $O$.
In this case,the initial position is $x_i = 0 \ m$ and the final position is $x_f = 0 \ m$.
The displacement is defined as $\Delta x = x_f - x_i = 0 \ m - 0 \ m = 0 \ m$.
However,the total path length covered is the sum of the distances of the two segments: $OP + PO = 360 \ m + 360 \ m = 720 \ m$.
Thus,it is demonstrated that the magnitude of displacement can be zero while the path length is non-zero.

Explore More

Similar Questions

The position of a particle along the $x$-axis at time $t$ is given by $x = 2 + t - 3t^2$. The displacement and the distance travelled in the interval $t = 0$ to $t = 1$ are respectively:

Difficult
View Solution

When is an object said to be in motion?

An airplane flies $400 \,m$ north and $300 \,m$ south and flies $1200 \,m$ upwards,then the net displacement is (in $\,m$)

Under what condition is the magnitude of distance covered by an object equal to its displacement?

How can we determine if an object is stationary or moving?

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo