Question

The numerical ratio of displacement to distance for a moving object is
A. always less than 1
B. always equal to 1
C. always more than 1
D. equal or less than 1

Answer 1

Hint – You need to learn about distance and displacement to solve this problem. Distance is a scalar quantity that considers how much the object travelled. Displacement is a vector quantity that refers to "how far out of place an object is"; it is the absolute change of location of the object.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Displacement (symbolized d or s), also known as length or distance, is a one-dimensional quantity representing a separation between two given points. The normal unit of displacement in the International System of Units ( SI) shall be the meter (m). Displacement is typically measured or described in a straight line. As displacement is a vector quantity and defined as the shortest distance between two points, the ratio of displacement to distance is always equal to or less than 1.
Hence, the correct option is D. It can be equal or less than one.

Note – To get the right answer we need to know that displacement is the vector quantity it means it measures the shortest distance between two points while distance is the total length the object moved. It means displacement only depends on initial and final position while distance is dependent on path. A very good example can be taken as an aeroplane and a train. Train follows its path turning and reaches the final destination while in case of an aeroplane it starts from the initial destination and goes to the final destination directly. This example is generally to imagine the distance and displacement and is sometimes true only.