Final answer:
The total distance traveled by the truck is 11.1 km. The magnitude of the truck's displacement is 1.9 km, and its direction is due west.
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer the student's question regarding the truck's travel:
(a) Total distance traveled by the truck
The total distance that the truck travels is found by adding all the distances covered in each direction: 1.7 km east + 6.6 km west + 2.8 km east. The total distance traveled is:
1.7 km + 6.6 km + 2.8 km = 11.1 km
(b) Magnitude and direction of the truck's displacement
Displacement is the difference between the final and initial positions. Since east is considered positive and west negative, we calculate the displacement as:
(1.7 km + 2.8 km) - 6.6 km = 4.5 km - 6.6 km = -1.9 km
The negative sign indicates the displacement is towards the west. Thus, the magnitude of the displacement is 1.9 km, and the direction is due west.