A car travels 20 km west and then 20 km south. What is the magnitude of its displacement vector?
A) 40 km
B) 20 km
C) 28 km
D) 0 km

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The displacement vector is the straight-line distance from the starting point to the ending point. Using the Pythagorean theorem for a right-angled triangle with sides of 20 km each, the displacement is the hypotenuse, calculated as √(20^2 + 20^2) = √800 = 28 km.

A Car Travels 20 Km West and Then 20 Km