Question

A particle starts from the origin, goes along the X-axis to the point (20 m, 0) and then returns along the same line to the point (-20 m, 0). Find the distance and displacement of the particle during the trip.

Answer 1

O = Starting point origin.
i) Distance travelled = 20 + 20 + 20 = 60 m
ii) Displacement is only OB = 20 m in the negative direction.
Displacement = Distance between final and initial position