Question

Which could describe the motion of an object?

1)distance = 1 meter and displacement = 10 meters
2)distance = 10 meters and displacement = 100 meters
3)distance = 0 and displacement = 10 meters
4)distance = 10 meters and displacement = 10 meters

Answer 1

The only plausible option that correctly describes the motion of an object is option 4: distance = 10 meters and displacement = 10 meters. This scenario occurs when the object moves in a straight line without changing direction, making the distance traveled and the displacement equal.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the concepts of distance and displacement as they apply to the motion of an object. Distance is the total length of the path traveled by an object without consideration for direction, while displacement is the change in position of an object and has both magnitude and direction. In terms of the options provided:

• Option 1 is not possible because displacement cannot be greater than the distance.
• Option 2 is also not possible for the same reason as option 1 - displacement cannot exceed distance.
• Option 3 is not possible as distance cannot be zero if there is a nonzero displacement because distance refers to the total path length traveled.
• Option 4 is the only plausible option, where the distance and displacement are equal, which can happen if the object moved in a straight line without changing direction. In this case, the magnitude of both distance traveled and displacement are the same.

The correct description for the motion of an object would be option 4: distance = 10 meters and displacement = 10 meters.