The motion of a car along a straight path is shown by the following figure :
[Figure shows a line starting from O (0km) and points A (25km), B (35km), C (60km) along the path]
The car starts from O and reaches at A, B and C at different instants of time. During its motion from O to C and back to B, the distance covered and the magnitude of the displacement are, respectively
[amp_mcq option1=”25 km and 60 km” option2=”95 km and 35 km” option3=”60 km and 25 km” option4=”85 km and 35 km” correct=”option4″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2016
– Distance is the total path length covered. The car travels from O to C (60 km) and then from C back to B (60 km – 35 km = 25 km). Total distance covered = 60 km + 25 km = 85 km.
– Displacement is the straight-line distance and direction from the initial position to the final position. Initial position is O (0 km). Final position is B (35 km). The displacement is B – O = 35 km – 0 km = 35 km in the positive direction. The magnitude of displacement is 35 km.