Question

An ant travel a distance of 12cm from A to B and then moves a distance of 9cm at right angle of AB. Find the resultant displacement and total distance covered by it ​

Answer 1

Explanation:

The initial position of ant is A

The ant moves a distance of 12 cm from A to B i.e., AB = 12 cm

The the ant moves a distance of 9 cm at right angle of AB i.e., BC = 9 cm

Let the final position of the ant be C.

We know that displacement is the shorter distance.

So, the resultant displacement is from A (initial position) to C (final position) i.e., AC

Now we can observe that the movement of the ant formed a right angled triangle

By condition,

AB^2+BC^2 = AC^2

(12 cm)^2 + (9 cm)^2 = AC^2

144 cm^2+81 cm^2 = AC^2

225 cm^2 = AC^2

AC^2 = 225 cm^2

AC = 15 cm

So, the resultant displacement is AC = 15 cm

Total distance covered= AB+BC

= (12+9) cm

= 21 cm