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
25 km and 60 km
95 km and 35 km
60 km and 25 km
85 km and 35 km
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
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.