Question

(256222)for an object that travels 20 kilometers north and then 15 kilometers south, what is the ratio of the distance traveled to the displacement?

Answer 1

assuming north as positive direction and south as negative direction of motion

y = path travelled in north direction = 20 kilometer

y' = path travelled in south direction = - 15 kilometer

distance travelled is given as

distance = d = |y| + |y'| = 20 + 15 = 35 kilometer

displacement is given as

displacement = D = y + y' = 20 + (-15) = 5 kilometer

Ratio of distance travelled to displacement is given as

Ratio = d/D = 35/5 = 7

Ratio = 7:1