Suppose that an object travels from one point in space to another. Make a comparison between the magnitude of the displacement and the distance traveled by this object.
A) The displacement is either greater than or equal to the distance traveled.
B) The displacement is always equal to the distance traveled.
C) The displacement can be either greater than, smaller than, or equal to the distance traveled.
D) The displacement is either less than or equal to the distance traveled.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Displacement is the shortest distance between two points, measured along the straight line connecting them, while distance is the total path length traveled between two points. Therefore, displacement can never be greater than the distance; it can only be equal (if the path is a straight line) or less (if the path deviates from a straight line).

Suppose That an Object Travels from One Point in Space