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⚛️ Physics  ·  Motion in a Straight Line  ·  NEET & JEE

The shortest straight-line distance between the initial and final positions of a body is its:

Answer: displacement.

  • A displacement
  • B path distance
  • C average speed
  • D elapsed time

Correct answer: A. displacement

Explanation: Displacement is the straight-line vector from start to finish, unlike the total path distance.

tvuvTΔtΔvslope = aarea = displacement (s)

On a velocity-time graph for uniform acceleration, the slope of the line gives the acceleration and the shaded area under the line gives the displacement.

Concept context

Equations of motion, projectile motion, relative velocity. Foundation of all mechanics.

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