Question

Assume each tick mark represents 1 cm. Calculate the total displacement from 0 if an object moves 3 cm to the left, then 7 cm to the right, and then 6 cm to the left. The object moves cm to the left. What is the total distance the object travels? cm

Answer 1

Assuming the positive x-axis is to the right, the displacement (a vector) can be calculated by:

0-3+7-6 = -2 cm, so the object moves 2 cm to the left. 

The total distance (a scalar quantity) can be calculated by:

0+3+7+6 = 16 cm, so the object travels a total of 16 cm. 

Answer 2

The object moves 2cm to the left.

What is the total distance the object travels? 16cm