Q 3.13 Explain clearly, with examples, the distinction between :
(a) the magnitude of displacement (sometimes called distance) over an interval of time, and the total length of path covered by a particle over the same interval
The magnitude of displacement is defined as the shortest distance between the initial and final positions of a particle, whereas the total length of path covered by a particle is the actual distance it has travelled. e.g., a ball thrown upwards that goes to a height of h and comes down to its starting position has a magnitude of displacement of zero, but the total length of the path covered by the ball is 2h. In the case of 1-D motion, the two will be equal if the particle moves only in one direction.