Question

Choose the correct statement among the following options:

• A. When displacement is zero, distance travelled is not necessarily zero
• B. When displacement is zero, distance travelled is also zero
• C. When distance is zero, displacement is not zero
• D. Distance travelled and displacement are always equal

Answer 1

The correct option is A When displacement is zero, distance travelled is not necessarily zero

The correct option is A.

Only statement A will be true.

Displacement is a vector quantity, hence it depends upon both direction and magnitude. It is the difference between the start and endpoints of motion. So, it can be positive, zero, or even negative. However, the distance being a scalar quantity, covered by a body is the total length of the path covered from its starting point to the endpoint. So, distance can only increase. For example, when a body moves in a circular path displacement will be zero, after one complete cycle, however, the distance will be equal to the circumference.

Thus Displacement may be zero even when the distance travelled is not zero.