Here, we are asked to calculate the total distance and displacement for three different times.
Before solving the question, first we have to understand the distance and displacement.
Displacement is the minimum distance travelled between two points. Hence, it is a vector quantity. On the other hand, the distance travelled is a scalar quantity.
The total displacement will be calculated by vector addition while total distance will follow algebraic addition.
Let us consider Ram travelled 3 km towards north from his home to office in 1 hour. The highway is straight. He reached at his office and saw that his office was closed. So, he came back. He stopped at shop for 2 minutes which was 2 km away from his office. Then he started his journey and reached him home.
Let his first distance travelled from home to office is
Here, the displacement is also the same in magnitude with distance travelled and it is directed towards north.
The distance travelled by Ram from office to the shop
Here, the displacement is 2 km towards south.
The distance travelled by Ram from the shop to the office
Here, the displacement is 1 km towards south.
Here, the total distance travelled
Now we have to calculate the total displacement. Here, the total displacement is zero.
It is because the initial and final points of his journey is same.