Question

Consider motion in one dimension. (The sign of the vector quantities is their direction indicator.) An object moves in the positive x-direction with speed 2.9 m/s for 4.5 s. It stops for 3.8 s and then moves in the negative x direction with speed 2.8 m/s for 4 s. What is the total distance traveled by the object in units of meter? Enter a number with two digits behind the decimal point.

Answer 1

Distance = (speed) x (time moved at that speed)

Distance moved in the positive x direction = (2.9 m/s) x (4.5 sec)

Distance moved in the positive x direction = 13.05 meters

Distance moved in the negative x direction = (2.8 m/s) x (4 sec)

Distance moved in the negative x direction = 11.20 meters

Total distance traveled = (13.05 m) + (11.20 m)

Total distance traveled = 24.25 meters

For distance, we don't care about the directions, or how long it stopped.