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When a race car reaches point B on the first lap, what is its distance traveled and its displacement?

Options:
A) Distance: 0, Displacement: 0
B) Distance: 0, Displacement: 10 miles
C) Distance: 10 miles, Displacement: 0
D) Distance: 10 miles, Displacement: 10 miles

User Garnett
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The correct answer is C) Distance: 10 miles, Displacement: 0, because the race car has traveled 10 miles around the track (the perimeter), but since it's at the start/finish line, its change in position (displacement) is zero. The correct answer is C) Distance: 10 miles, Displacement: 0.

Step-by-step explanation:

When discussing a race car reaching point B on the first lap, we are referring to two different concepts: distance traveled and displacement. Distance traveled is the actual length of the path that the race car has covered, irrespective of its direction. Displacement, on the other hand, is a vector quantity that measures the shortest path from the initial to the final position and has both magnitude and direction.

In this context, if the race car reaches point B after completing one full lap, the distance traveled is equal to the perimeter of the race track because the car has covered the full path of the circuit.

However, since point B is the finish line and it coincides with the start line after one lap, the starting and ending point is the same. The displacement will, therefore, be zero, as the car has not changed its position in relation to the starting point.

Given the options provided, the correct answer would be C) Distance: 10 miles, Displacement: 0 as the car has traveled a distance of 10 miles around the track, but its start and end points are the same, resulting in a displacement of zero.

User Hotfix
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