Final answer:
The question deals with the principles of displacement and distance in physics, focusing on the difference between these two concepts. Displacement has both magnitude and direction, whereas distance accounts for the total path length traveled. The comparison of distances depends on the chosen reference frame and the specific vectors involved.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question being asked pertains to the concept of displacement and distance in physics. Displacement is a vector quantity that represents the change in position of an object. It is defined by both magnitude and direction. If a friend walks from point A to point C, which is three-quarters of the way to point B, the displacement vector would be 0.75 times the displacement vector from A to B (ĐAC = 0.75ĐAB). Displacement differs from distance in that distance is a scalar quantity that represents the total path length traveled, regardless of direction.
Considering the relationship between points C and D, and B and E, it is essential to know the vectors involved to understand how these distances compare. When analyzing a given scenario, one might consider house B as a new frame of reference, and the positions of the other houses will change accordingly. The displacement between two points is simply the straight line distance between them in a specific direction, unlike the total distance traveled, which may involve a longer, non-linear path.
For example, if you take two displacement steps A and B, you could end up at the starting point if the second step is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the first. Thus, the maximum distance you can end up from the starting point would typically be the sum of the lengths of the two steps, but under these circumstances, the resultant displacement could be zero.