Physics
Physics
Problem
Choose the correct statement regarding the sign of distance and displacement along a straight line taken as positive towards east. a) Both distance and displacement can be negative. b) Neither distance nor displacement can be negative. c) Displacement can be negative, but distance cannot be negative. d) Distance can be negative, but displacement cannot be negative.Intuitive explanation
Distance is always positive because it measures the total ground covered regardless of direction, while displacement can be positive or negative depending on whether the final position is east (positive) or west (negative) of the starting point. The key insight is that distance ignores direction entirely, but displacement is a vector that cares about which way you actually ended up—so the sign tells you the direction of your net movement.
Intuitive explanation
Distance is always positive because it measures the total ground covered regardless of direction, while displacement can be positive or negative depending on whether the final position is east (positive) or west (negative) of the starting point. The key insight is that distance ignores direction entirely, but displacement is a vector that cares about which way you actually ended up—so the sign tells you the direction of your net movement.