Question

The ratio of displacement to distance is:

• A. Always less than 1
• B. Always greater than 1
• C. Always equal to 1
• D. Either less than or equal to 1

Answer 1

The correct option is D Either less than or equal to 1

Distance is the actual length of the path travelled between the initial and final positions of a moving body. And displacement is the linear distance between the initial and final positions of the body. Now, as we know that a straight line drawn between two points is of least length among all curves joining the two. So, linear distance between two points is the least length of path to be travelled between two points. This means that distance, when shortest, becomes displacement. Otherwise, distance is greater than displacement. So, ratio of displacement to distance is less than or equal to 1.