indicate the direction and select the total displacement of A caterpillar tries to climb straight up a wall two meters high, but for every 2 cm up it climbs, it slides down 1 cm. Eventually, it reaches the top. When it reaches the top, it does not pull itself over so it will slide down 1 cm.
well, geez. The wall is 2m high. At the end the bug slides down 1 cm. So, he ends up 199cm from the foot of the wall.
Not much of a physics problem.
To determine the direction and total displacement of the caterpillar, we need to consider the net vertical displacement. Let's break down the problem step by step:
1. Calculate the number of steps the caterpillar takes to reach the top:
The caterpillar climbs up by 2 cm and then slides down by 1 cm, meaning it covers a total vertical distance of 2 cm - 1 cm = 1 cm per step. Since the distance to climb is 200 cm (2 meters), the number of steps required is 200 cm / 1 cm = 200 steps.
2. Determine the direction of the caterpillar's movements:
The caterpillar's movement alternates between climbing up and sliding down, but since it eventually reaches the top, its overall direction is upward.
3. Calculate the total displacement by adding up the net vertical displacements:
In each step, the caterpillar covers a net vertical distance of 2 cm - 1 cm = 1 cm upward. With 200 steps, the total displacement is 1 cm * 200 = 200 cm (or 2 meters) upward.
Therefore, the caterpillar's direction is upward, and it has a total displacement of 200 cm (or 2 meters).