Question

3. A lady walks 15.0 meters east and then 20.0 meters north.
a. Calculate her resultant displacement.
b. How far away is she from her starting point?
c. What distance did she travel?

Answer 1

Answer:

a 25 m

b 25 m

c 35 m

Explanation:

(a)

Resultant displacdment is equivalent to the hypotenuse which is given by

$H=\sqrt {x^{2}+y^{2}}$

Where x is displacement in East direction while y is displacement in North direction. Substituting 15 m for x and 20 m for y

$H=\sqrt {15^{2}+20^{2}}$

H=25 m

(b)

The distance away from starting point is 15+20=35 m away following the path or 25 m as in a following the shortest route possible. It is clear that the hypotenuse is the shortest distance.

(c)

Distance travelled is 15+20=35 m