Question

If an object moves 40m north, 40m west, 40m south, and 40m east, what’s the total displacement?

a) 0m
b) 40m
c) 80m
d) 120m

Answer 1

After moving in a square pattern with equal lengths (40m in each direction), the object returns to its starting position, resulting in a net displacement of 0 meters.

Step-by-step explanation:

If an object moves 40m north, then 40m west, then 40m south, and finally 40m east, the total displacement is the vector sum of these individual movements. After completing these movements, the object ends up back at its starting point. Therefore, the net displacement is 0m, which makes the correct answer (a) 0m. Displacement is a vector quantity that refers to the change in position of an object and has both magnitude and direction. In this case, the object has undergone a closed loop of travel, returning to its initial position, hence no change in position has occurred.