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Can one-dimensional motion ever have zero distance travelled but a nonzero displacement, or zero displacement but a nonzero distance travelled?
AZero displacement, nonzero distance is possible
BZero distance, nonzero displacement is possible
CBoth are possible at the same time
DNeither situation is ever possible here
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Zero displacement, nonzero distance is possible
1. Distance can never be zero unless the object never moved at all, in which case displacement is also zero.
2. So zero distance forces zero displacement, ruling out a nonzero displacement alongside it.
3. But an object can travel back and forth and still end at its starting point, giving nonzero distance with zero displacement.
4. That asymmetry is why only the zero-displacement, nonzero-distance case is possible.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 2 "Motion in One Dimension", section 2.1 Relative Motion, Distance, and Displacement_
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