Question

What is the distance travelled by a body and its displacement when it completes one revolution around a circular track with radius r?

• A. Distance and displacement are both same and equal to 0
• B. Distance and displacement are both same and equal to 2πr
• C. Distance = 0 and displacement = 2πr
• D. Distance = 2πr and displacement = 0

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Distance = 2πr and displacement = 0

Distance only depends on the magnitude and is equal to the total path covered.
Here, distance = perimeter of the circular track = 2πr

Displacement depends on both magnitude and direction.
It depends only on the initial and final positions of the body and when you join initial and final points with a straight line, it gives the displacement of the body.
Here initial and final positions are the same, hence displacement is zero.