Question

1. which statements correctly describe displacement?

select two correct answers.
a. displacement indicates the distance that an object traveled but not the direction.
b. displacement is a point of reference used to determine if an object is in motion.
c. displacement is an objects change in position relative to a reference point.
d. displacement represents the total distance traveled by an object.
e. displacement indicates the distance and direction that an object travels.

Explanation:

• Displacement is a vector quantity. It is calculated as the change in position of an object relative to a reference point. For example, if an object moves from position \(x_1\) to \(x_2\), displacement \(\Delta x=x_2 - x_1\). It has both magnitude (distance between the initial and final positions) and direction (from the initial to the final position).
• Option A is wrong because distance traveled is a scalar quantity and displacement is not just about the distance traveled. Option B is wrong as a point of reference is used for displacement calculation but that's not the full definition. Option D is wrong as total distance traveled is a scalar (distance) and displacement is a vector. Option E is wrong as displacement is not the same as distance (distance is scalar, displacement is vector).

Answer:

C. Displacement is an object's change in position relative to a reference point.