Question

A train travels from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Mexico City in 4 hours with an average velocity of 80 km/h to the south. What is the train’s displacement?

Answer 1

The displacement of the train is equal to the velocity of the train multiplied by the time of travel. In this case,the average velocity is equal to 80 km/h and the time of travel is four hours. The answer is 80 km/h *4 h or equal to 320 km in total. Answer is 320 kilometers.

Answer 2

Answer: The displacement is the difference in position (between the final position and the initial), so train's displacement will be the initial position subtracted of the position when the train has traveled for 4 hours.

If we define the original position as 0, then the total displacement is, if the train has a velocity of 80km/h, then in 4 hours the train travels 80*4 km= 320 km to the south. Because the train travels in one direction and never turns, the total displacement is 320km