An object moves 15.0 m north and then 11.0 m south.Find both the distance it has traveled and the magnitude of its displacement.
A)4.0 m,26.0 m
B)26.0 m,4.0 m
C)26.0 m,26.0 m
D)4.0 m,4.0 m

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The distance traveled is the total length of the path taken, which is 15.0 m + 11.0 m = 26.0 m.

The magnitude of displacement is the shortest distance and direction between the initial and final positions. In this case, since the object ends up south of its initial position, we can consider the north direction as positive and the south direction as negative. Thus, the displacement is:

displacement = final position - initial position
displacement = (-11.0 m) - (+15.0 m)  [note the minus sign for the south direction]
displacement = -26.0 m

The magnitude of displacement is the absolute value of the displacement, which is 26.0 m. Therefore, the answer is B.

An Object Moves 15