Question

A child walks 5 meters north,then 4 meters east and finally 2 meters south. What is the magnitude of resultant displacement of the child after the entire walk?
a. 1m b. 3m c. 5m d. 11m

Answer 1

Its 3m since that's the distance from the point where they started to the point where they end up.

Answer 2

Answer:

The magnitude of resultant displacement of the child after the entire walk is 5 m.

(c) is correct option.

Explanation:

Given that,

A child walks 5 meters north,then 4 meters east and finally 2 meters south.

According to figure,

Here, EB =CD

So, AE = AB-EB

AE = 5-2 = 3 meters

We need to calculate the magnitude of resultant displacement of the child after the entire walk

Using Pythagorean theorem

$AD=\sqrt{AE^2+ED^2}$

Put the value into the formula

$AD=\sqrt{3^2+4^2}$

$AD =5\ meters$

Hence, The magnitude of resultant displacement of the child after the entire walk is 5 m.