PROBLEM:
Find the following for path C in the figure:
(a) The distance traveled.
(b) The magnitude of the displacement from start to finish.
(c) The displacement from start to finish.
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SOLUTION:
Part a
The distance is the sum of all the paths of C.
\text{distance}=8\:\text{m}+2\:\text{m}+2\:\text{m}=12\:\text{m} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
Part b
The magnitude of the displacement is the difference between the final position and the initial position without regard to the sign.
\left|\Delta x\right|=\left|10\:\text{m}-2\:\text{m}\right|=8\:\text{m} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
Part c
The displacement is the difference between the final position and the initial position, taking into account the sign
\Delta x=10\:\text{m}-2\:\text{m}=+8\:\text{m} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
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