Question

Find the following for path C in the figure below (a) the total distance traveledm(b) the distance from start to finishm(c) the displacement from start to finishm

Answer 1

(a). The total distance traveled in the path C is,

$\begin{gathered} D=\text{ From 2 m to 10 m + from 10 m to 8 m + from 8 m to 10 m} \\ =\mleft(10-2\mright)+\mleft(10-8\mright)+\mleft(10-8\mright) \\ =8+2+2 \\ =12\text{ m} \end{gathered}$

Thus, the total distance traveled in the path C is 12 m.

(b). The distance from the start (2 m) to the finish (10 m) is,

$\begin{gathered} d=\text{from 2 m to 10 m} \\ d=10-2 \\ d=8\text{ m} \end{gathered}$

Thus, the distance traveled from start to finish is 8 m.

(c). The displacement from the start (2 m) to the finish (10 m) by neglecting the return travel in the path C is,

$\begin{gathered} d^{\prime}=10-2 \\ d^{\prime}=8\text{ m} \end{gathered}$

Thus, the displacement for the path C is 8 m.