Question

A body travels a distance of 15m from A to B and then moves a distance of 20m to C at a right angle to AB. Calculate total distance travelled and displacement.​

Answer 1

$\large{\underline{\textsf{\textbf{ Answer : }}}}$

• Total distance travelled = 35 m
• Displacement = 25 m

$\large{\underline{\textsf{\textbf{ Given \: Information : }}}}$

• A body travels a distance of 15m from A to B and then moves a distance of 20m to C at a right angle to AB.

$\large{\underline{\textsf{\textbf{ To \: calculate : }}}}$

• Total distance travelled.

• Displacement

$\large{\underline{\textsf{\textbf{ Calculation : }}}}$

$\underline { \maltese \bf { Distance \; travelled : }}$

• Distance is the total length of the path covered by the body irrespective of the direction in which it travels.

$\longmapsto$ Total distance travelled = AB + BC

$\longmapsto$ Total distance travelled = 20 m + 15 m

$\longmapsto$ Total distance travelled = 35 m

Therefore, total distance travelled by the body is 35 m.

$\underline { \maltese \bf { Displacement \; : }}$

• Displacement is the shortest path between the final and the initial position of the body.

We can also say that,

» Displacement is the straight line between the final and the initial position of the body. Here, A is his initial position and C is his final position.

So,

• AC is the displacement of the body.

→ (AC)² = (AB)² + (BC)²

→ (AC)² = (15)² + (20)²

→ (AC)² = 225 + 400

→ (AC)² = 625

→ AC = √625

→ AC = 25

Therefore, displacement of the body is 25 m.

More Information :

About Distance :

• Distance is the length of the total path covered by a body irrespective of the direction in which it travels.
• It is a scalar quantity i.e, it has only magnitude.
• Its SI unit is m (Metre).
• Distance is denoted by "s".

About Displacement :

• Displacement is the shortest path between the final and the initial position of the body.
• It is a vector quantity i.e it has both magnitude and direction.
• Its SI unit is m (Metre).
• Displacement is also denoted by "s".