Question

A Lanier High School student begins at the starting line on the track facing west and

runs around the track 20 times before returning to the starting line. (1 lap = 400m)
What is his distance? And what is his displacement?
distance = Om ; displacement = 8000m
distance = Om ; displacement = 20m
distance = 20m; displacement = Om
distance = 8000m; displacement = Om

Answer 1

The student's total distance run after 20 laps of a 400m track is 8000m and their net displacement is 0m since they ended at the starting point.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking for both the total distance and net displacement of a student running around a track. Distance in physics is defined as the total path length traveled by an object, whereas displacement is the shortest straight line path between the starting point and the final point, measured along a specific direction. When the student runs around the track 20 times and returns to the starting line, their displacement is zero because they end up at their starting point, making the initial and final positions the same.

To calculate the total distance run, you multiply the number of laps (20) by the distance of one lap (400m). This yields a total distance of 8000m. Since the student ends up where they started, their displacement is 0m (net displacement). Therefore, the correct answer is 'distance = 8000m ; displacement = 0m'.