Question

A displacement

• A. Is always positive.
• B. Is always negative.
• C. May be positive as well as negative.
• D. Is neither positive nor negative.

Answer 1

The correct option is C

May be positive as well as negative.

Explanation of correct option:

C: May be positive as well as negative.

1. The displacement of an object is the shortest distance between the initial and final point of its path.
2. It can have either positive or negative values.
3. It is a vector quantity.
4. It has both magnitude and direction.
5. Displacement may be negative or positive depending upon which direction we choose, positive or negative.
6. A positive displacement would mean moving up, forward, or to the right.
7. A negative displacement would mean moving down, backward, or to the left.

Explanation of incorrect option:

A: Is always positive.

1. Displacement may be negative or positive, depending upon which direction. We can not say only always positive.

B: Is always negative.

1. Displacement may be negative or positive, depending upon which direction. We can not say only always negative.

D: Is neither positive nor negative.

1. Displacement may be negative or positive, depending upon which direction. We can not say displacement Is neither positive nor negative.

Thus, A displacement May be positive as well as negative.