Question

the following graphs, which represents the runners displacement? a. b. c. d.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall displacement concept

Displacement is the straight - line distance from the starting point to the ending point, and it is a vector quantity. For a runner, if the runner runs in a straight line for a while and then turns back or stops, the displacement doesn't keep increasing monotonically if the runner moves back towards the starting point.

Step2: Analyze graph a

Graph a shows a closed - loop. This would imply that the runner returns to the starting point at the end, and displacement would be zero at the end of the time interval shown. But displacement should change during the run and not form a closed - loop like a position - path graph.

Step3: Analyze graph b

Graph b shows a steadily increasing value. This could represent distance (a scalar quantity that always increases as the runner moves), but not displacement because displacement doesn't always increase steadily if the runner changes direction and moves back towards the starting point.

Step4: Analyze graph c

Graph c shows an increase in displacement as the runner moves forward, then a period where the displacement remains constant (the runner may be stationary), and then a decrease in displacement as the runner moves back towards the starting point. This is consistent with the concept of displacement.

Step5: Analyze graph d

Graph d has a non - linear increase with a very steep initial part. Similar to graph b, it represents a non - physical behavior for displacement as it doesn't account for the runner moving back towards the starting point and also the steepness doesn't represent typical displacement - time behavior for a runner.

Answer:

C.