Question

A truck travels due east for a distance of 1.9 km, turns around and goes due west for 8.7 km, and finally turns around again and travels 3.0 km due east. (a) What is the total distance that the truck travels? km (b) What are the magnitude and direction of the truck's displacement?

Answer 1

a) Total distance travelled = 1.9km + 8.7km + 3.0km = 13.6km

b) Total displacement = -1.9km + 8.7km-3.0km=+3.8km

Total displacement = 3.8km due west

Step-by-step explanation:

a) Total distance travelled is a scalar quantity it is not affected by the direction it's only concerned with the magnitude.

Total distance travelled = 1.9km + 8.7km + 3.0km = 13.6km

b) Total displacement is a vector quantity it takes into consideration both magnitude and direction.

Taking west as positive and east as negative.

Total displacement = -1.9km + 8.7km-3.0km = +3.8km

Total displacement = 3.8km due west