Question

If you walk 1.2 km north and then 1.6 km east, what are the magnitude and direction of your resultant displacement?

Answer 1

Answer:

 Option A is the correct answer.

Explanation:

  Let the east point towards positive X-axis and north point towards positive Y-axis.

 First walking 1.2 km north,  displacement = 1.2 j km

 Secondly 1.6 km east, displacement = 1.6 i km

 Total displacement = (1.6 i + 1.2 j) km

 Magnitude = $\sqrt{1.2^2+1.6^2} = 2 km$

 Angle of resultant with positive X - axis = $tan^{-1}(1.2/1.6)=36.87^0$ = 36.87⁰ east of north.