Question

Question 29 A football coach walks 12 meters westward, then 16 meters eastward, then 22 meters westward, and finally 6 meters eastward. For this motion, what is the distance moved? What is the magnitude and direction of the displacement?

Answer 1

• Distance moved is 56 meters

• The magnitude and direction of the displacement is 12 meters eastward

Explanation:

Distance is scalar quantity and as such it has only magnitude and no direction.

The distance moved by the coach is calculated as;

distance = 12 meters + 16 meters + 22 meters + 6 meters

distance = 56 meters

Again, we determine the magnitude and direction of the displacement.

Displacement is a vector quantity and as such it has both magnitude and direction.

let westward represent positive direction, and

eastward represent negative direction

Displacement = 12 meters westward - 16 meters eastward + 22 meters westward - 6 meters eastward

Displacement = 12 meters eastward

Answer 2

Answer: 56m ; 12m

Explanation:

A football coach walks 12 meters westward, 16 meters eastward, 22 meters westward, and then 6 meters eastward. The total distance moved will be: 12m + 16m + 22m + 6m = 56 metres.

The displacement will be:

12i + 16i - 22i + 6i

= 34i - 22i

= 12m west