A particle moves along a circular path of radius 7 cm. Estimate the distance covered and displacement when the particle (i) covers half circular path and (ii) completes the total circular path once.

Explanation

Circumference of the circular path
= `2pir = 2 xx (22)/(7) xx 7 = 44` cm.
When it covers half the circumference the particle moves from A to B along the path ACB .
Hence distance covered `= (44)/(2) = 22` cm. Displacement is the length of straight line AB i.e., the diameter of the circle. Hence displacement is `2 xx 7` = 14 cm from A to B `vec((AB))`.
(ii) On completion of the total circular path ACBA, the distance covered is equal to the circumference of the circle = 44 cm.
As the particle comes back to its initial position displacement is zero.