Math Problem Statement

Find the following for Path A in the figure: (a) the distance traveled (in m), (b) the magnitude of the displacement (in m) from start to finish, (c) the displacement (in m) from start to finish.

Solution

Let's analyze the image and solve the questions related to Path A in the figure:

  1. Path A (Green Arrow) starts at x=0x = 0 meters and ends at x=12x = 12 meters.

Now, let's answer the given questions:

  • (a) Distance traveled in meters:
    The distance is the total length of the path taken. Since the arrow goes from 0 to 12 meters, the distance traveled is: Distance=12m\text{Distance} = 12 \, \text{m}

  • (b) Magnitude of the displacement:
    Displacement is the straight line distance between the start and end points of the path, regardless of the path taken. Since Path A starts at 0 meters and ends at 12 meters, the magnitude of the displacement is: Magnitude of Displacement=12m\text{Magnitude of Displacement} = 12 \, \text{m}

  • (c) Displacement from start to finish:
    Displacement is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. For Path A, the displacement is positive since it moves in the positive direction (rightward). Thus, the displacement from start to finish is: Displacement=+12m\text{Displacement} = +12 \, \text{m}

Would you like more details on displacement, or do you have any questions?

Here are five related questions for further understanding:

  1. How would the distance and displacement differ if the path had been curved?
  2. If the path started at x=0x = 0 and ended at x=8x = 8, what would the displacement be?
  3. How does displacement differ from distance in terms of physical meaning?
  4. What would be the displacement if Path A had moved leftwards instead?
  5. How can displacement be zero even if distance traveled is not?

Tip: Displacement is always the shortest path between two points, and it takes direction into account!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Distance
Displacement
Vectors

Formulas

Distance = total length of path traveled
Displacement = final position - initial position

Theorems

Concept of Displacement as a Vector

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11