can distance be less than magnitude of displacement why
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can distance be less than magnitude of displacement why
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Answer:
No , distance can't be less than the magnitude of displacement because displacement can be zero but distance can. example if the object moves in a circular path the displacement after returning to the same point will be zero but the distance will be the circumference covered.
marylen-avatar
Can the magnitude of a particle’s displacement be greater than the distance traveled? Explain.
Is manitude of particle is same as its traveeled distance?
marylen
8 years ago
Engineering Physics
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6 replies
themask
8 years ago
themask-avatar
No, the magnitude of the displacement is always less than or equal to the distance traveled. If two displacements in the same direction are added, then the magnitude of their sum will be equal to the distance traveled. Two vectors in any other orientation will give a displacement less than the distance traveled. If you first walk 3 meters east, and then 4 meters south, you will have walked a total distance of 7 meters, but you will only be 5 meters from your starting point.