Question

Bacteria move back and forth by using their flagella (structures that look like little tails). Speeds of up to 50 μm/s ⎛ ⎝50×10−6 m/s⎞ ⎠ have been observed. The total distance traveled by a bacterium is large for its size, while its displacement is small. Why is this?

Answer 1

Explained

Step-by-step explanation:

Displacement is the change in the position of an object with reference to a starting point. for displacement to occur the position of the object must change.

Here the bacteria although moving but it is moving back and forth, meaning its initial and final positions are the same and hence no displacement. Whereas distance is the total distance traveled no matter in what direction. Hence, The total distance traveled by a bacterium is large for its size, while its displacement is small.