Final answer:
Shorter DNA fragments migrate faster and travel a greater distance compared to longer DNA fragments due to experiencing less friction as they move through the gel matrix.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between DNA fragment length and the distance it travels in the gel is that shorter DNA fragments will migrate faster and travel a greater distance compared to longer DNA fragments. This is because shorter fragments experience less friction as they move through the gel matrix, allowing them to migrate more quickly. Conversely, longer fragments experience more friction and migrate more slowly, resulting in a shorter overall distance traveled.