Question

The "Time Bandit" is one of the many fishing vessels from the television series "Deadliest Catch". While searching for crab during one of its crabbing excursions, it travels 15 km north and then 7 km west from its starting position. What was his straight line displacement during this part of its trip? Be careful to read the units I gave you!

Answer 1

Displacement = 16.55 km

Step-by-step explanation:

The straight line displacement can be found by finding the resultant of both the displacements. The displacements given to us are 15 km north and 7 km west. Since, west and north directions are perpendicular to each other. Therefore, the displacements will also be perpendicular and they can be modelled as the rectangular components of resultant straight line displacement. So, the resultant straight line displacement can be found by using Pythagorean Theorem:

Displacement = √[(15 km)² + (7 km)²]

Displacement = 16.55 km

Hence, his straight line displacement during this part of trip will be 16.55 km