Which describes the greatest displacement?
- walking 3 m east then 3 m north, then 3 m west
- walking 3 m north, thrn 3 m west, then 3 m south
r1=r2=3 m
To determine which scenario describes the greatest displacement, we need to calculate the net displacement for each scenario.
In the first scenario, you walk 3 m east, then 3 m north, and finally 3 m west. To find the net displacement, we need to add the individual displacements together. Moving 3 m east and then 3 m west cancels out in terms of east-west displacement, so the total east-west displacement is 0. Moving 3 m north contributes to the net displacement. Therefore, the net displacement in the first scenario is 3 m north.
In the second scenario, you walk 3 m north, then 3 m west, and finally 3 m south. Again, we need to find the net displacement by adding the individual displacements. Moving 3 m north and then 3 m south cancels out in terms of north-south displacement, so the total north-south displacement is 0. However, moving 3 m west contributes to the net displacement. Therefore, the net displacement in the second scenario is 3 m west.
Comparing the two scenarios, we find that a displacement of 3 m north is greater than a displacement of 3 m west. Therefore, the first scenario, walking 3 m east, then 3 m north, and finally 3 m west, describes the greatest displacement.
Note: Displacement refers to the overall change in position, irrespective of the path taken.