Question

B moves in a straight way towards west 5 metre then towards north 6 metre then towards east 5 metre then towards south 5 metre. Find his distance covered and displacement.​

Answer 1

Answer:

Distance = 21 m

Displacement = 1 m

Explanation:

Aa per the provided information in the given question, we have :

• B moves in a straight way towards west 5 metre then towards north 6 metre then towards east 5 metre then towards south 5 metre.

We are asked to calculate the distance covered and the displacement.

Before commencing the steps, take a look at the figure provided in the attachment.

• PQ : When B goes towards west.
• QR : When B goes towards north.
• RS : When B goes towards east.
• ST : When B goes towards south.

Calculating distance covered :

Distance is the length of the total path covered by the body. It is a scalar quantity. Its SI unit is metre. So, here

$\longmapsto \rm {Distance = PQ + QR + RS + ST }$

$\longmapsto \rm {Distance = (5+6+5+5)\; m }$

$\longmapsto \bf {Distance = 21 \; m }$

∴ Distance covered by B is 21 m.

$\rule{200}2$

Calculating displacement :

Displacement is the shortest distance from initial position to the final position. The shortest distance between the two positions is always a straight line. Displacement is a vector quantity. Its SI unit is metre.

Here, B's initial position is P and its final position is T. The shortest distance is PT.

• PT = Displacement

According to the figure, PQRS can be a rectangle if we join PT. So, let's assume it as a rectangle. As we know that the opposite sides of a rectangle are equal, so

$\longmapsto \rm {QR = PS }$

$\longmapsto \rm {QR = ST + PT }$

$\longmapsto \rm {6 \; m = 5 \; m + PT }$

$\longmapsto \rm {6 \; m - 5 \; m = PT }$

$\longmapsto \rm {1 \; m = PT }$

$\longmapsto \bf {1 \; m_{(towards \; south)} = Displacement}$

∴ Displacement is 1 m.