Question

A car is moving in a circular path of radius 2 m. Calculate both the distance and the magnitude of the displacement of the car after
i) one complete revolution
ii) one-half revolution
iii) one-fourth revolution.
What can you conclude about the relationship between distance and displacement.

Answer 1

Radius R = 2 m i) Distance = 2πR = 2π × 2 = 4π m Displacement = Zero, (displacement is the shortest distance between the starting and finishing points. Here car reached at starting point. So displacement Zero.) ii) Distance = 2πR/2 = 2π × 2 / 2 = 2π m Displacement = 2R = 2×2 = 4 m. (Here diameter the displacement) iii) Distance = 2πR/4 = 2π × 2 /4 = 4π/4 = π m Displacement =√(2^2 + 2^2) = 2√2 m There is no relationship between distance and displacement. ​​​​​