Question

A motorist drives 5 km east then drives 5 km north. Calculate their distance travelled and their displacement.

Answer 1

Answer:

See

distance is 10 km

displacement is 5√2 km

Explanation:

DISTANCE:

Distance is scaler so, it doesn't depend on the direction

so distance is 5+5 which is 10

DISPLACEMENT:

Displacement is a vector, so, it depends on direction.

Now when we see north and east, they form a right angle, so we need to calculate the hypotenuse of the triangle for displacement as it is the shortest route between the two points.

Let hypotenuse be h

• 5² + 5² = h² Moved 5 km in east and north so values are 5
• h² = 25+25
• h² = 50
• h = √50
• h=5√2

Hope it helps

BYE.