Question

An object moves 60m due east and then 30m due north. Find the distance travelled and the magnitude of displacement

Answer 1

Answer:

• Distance covered = 90m
• Displacement = 66.9m(approx)

Explanation:

Given that,

An object moves 60 metres due east and then 30 metres to the north.

Let's say the object starts from point A moves 60 metres due east to reach B and then 30 metres north to C as shown in the figure.

Then, total distance covered is

= AB + BC

= 60 + 30

= 90 metres

∴ Total distance covered by the object is 90 metres.

Now,

We meed to calculate it's magnitude of displacement.

Following the figure, we can apply Pythagoras theorem.

By Pythagoras theorem,

⇒ d = √(AC)² + (BC)²

Where, ‘d’ denotes the displacement.

⇒ d = √(60)² + (30)²

⇒ d = √3600 + 900

⇒ d = √4500

⇒ d = 30√5

Taking √5 = 2.23

⇒ d = 66.9cm

∴ Magnitude of the displacement is 66.9cm (approx.)