A student throws a small rubber ball vertically upward from level ground and it returns to the thrower’s hand after some time. Take upward as the positive direction throughout.
Answer the following in the same context.
(i) Define distance and displacement in the context of one-dimensional motion.
(ii) For the complete journey of the ball, state the magnitude and sign (positive, negative or zero) of (a) the distance travelled and (b) the displacement of the ball. Give reasons for your answer.
(iii) For the upward half of the motion only, state and justify the sign of (a) velocity, (b) displacement and (c) acceleration.
(iv) Repeat part (iii) for the downward half of the motion.
(v) Compare the magnitudes of the distance and displacement for the entire trip and explain why one quantity is greater than, equal to, or less than the other.