Question

For which one of the following situations will the path length equal the magnitude of the displacement? a A ball on the end of a string is moving in a vertical circle. b A toy train is traveling around a circular track. c A train travels 5 miles east before it stops. It then travels 2 miles west. d A ball is rolling down an inclined plane. e A ball rises and falls after being thrown straight up from the earth's surface.

Answer 1

Answer:

d A ball is rolling down an inclined plane.

Explanation:

When path length is equal to the displacement

then we can say that the motion of the object must be in straight line so that the distance and displacement must be same

SO here we can say

a A ball on the end of a string is moving in a vertical circle.

In circular path distance and displacement is not same

b A toy train is traveling around a circular track.

In circular path distance and displacement is not same

c A train travels 5 miles east before it stops. It then travels 2 miles west.

Net displacement is 3 miles East while distance is 7 miles

d A ball is rolling down an inclined plane.

Here its motion is in straight line so we can say that path length and displacement will be same

e A ball rises and falls after being thrown straight up from the earth's surface.

In this type of to and fro motion path length is not same as displacement