Question

Carl runs 100m West. He then runs 60m North. He then runs 20m East. The total distance travelled by Carl is ______m and his total displacement is _____m.

Answer 1

Answer:

   Displacement = 100 meter

   Distance covered = 180 meter.

Explanation:

   Let east represents positive x- axis and north represent positive y - axis. Horizontal component is i and vertical component is j.

  Carl runs 100 m West, Displacement = -100 i

  He then runs 60 m North, Displacement = 60 j

   He then runs 20 m East, Displacement = 20 i

  Total displacement of Carl's running = -100 i + 60 j + 20 i = (-80 i + 60 j) m (Vector)

  Magnitude of displacement =  $\sqrt{(-80)^2+60^2} =100 m$

  Distance traveled by Carl = 100 + 60 + 20 = 180 m ( Scalar)