Is A Straight Line Always The Shortest Distance Between Two Points?

No, a straight line isn't always the shortest distance between two points. The shortest distance depends on the geometry of the object or surface in question. While a straight line is the shortest distance between two points on a flat surface, on a spherical surface such as the Earth, the true shortest distance is represented by an arc known as the great circle distance.

From a mathematical perspective, a great circle (also called the geodesic of a sphere) is any circle drawn on a sphere with a center that coincides with the center of the sphere, dividing the sphere into two equal halves. Simply put, a great circle is the largest circle that can be carved out of a sphere. Be sure to watch the video to see a visual representation of what a great circle looks like.