Question

Car travels 9 km southwards, followed by 5 km eastwards. what is the magnitude of the distance and displacement? *

Answer 1

Answer:

Distance = 14km

Displacement = 10.29km

Explanation:

Distance is termed as the total length of the path taken by the body

Hence in this case,

Distance = 9 + 5 = 14km

Displacement is termed as the shortest distance between the starting point and final point

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In the given case, the man travelled from A to B then B to C

So,

AB = 9km

BC = 5km

AC = Displacement

Hence, by Pythagoras theorem

AC = $\sqrt{AB^{2} + BC^{2} }$

AC = √(9² + 5²)

AC = √(81 + 25)

AC = √106

AC = 10.29 km