Kelley is playing pool and hits the cue ball into the nine ball, which is directly in the center of the pool table. The nine ball travels a total of 7 meters before stopping, 1 meter to the left of the initial starting point of the nine ball. Which sentence reflects the correct statement regarding distance and displacement when considering the motion of the nine ball?
The nine ball traveled a distance of 7 meters and was displaced by 1 meter.
The cue ball traveled a distance of 7 meters and was displaced by 1 meter.
The nine ball traveled a distance of 1 meter and was displaced by 1 meter.
The nine ball traveled a distance of 1 meter and was displaced by 7 meters
Nvm, I got the answer
To determine the correct statement regarding distance and displacement, we need to understand the definitions of these terms.
Distance refers to the length of the path traveled by an object. It is a scalar quantity, meaning it only takes into account the magnitude of how far an object has moved.
Displacement, on the other hand, takes into account not only the length of the path but also the direction and the starting and ending points. Displacement is a vector quantity that includes both magnitude and direction.
In the given scenario, the nine ball traveled a total of 7 meters before stopping, 1 meter to the left of its initial starting point. Therefore, the distance traveled by the nine ball is 7 meters since this considers the length of the path it took.
However, when considering displacement, we need to look at the starting and ending points. The starting point of the nine ball and its ending point are at the same height but horizontally shifted by 1 meter to the left. Therefore, the displacement of the nine ball is 1 meter to the left.
Therefore, the correct statement reflecting the motion of the nine ball is: "The nine ball traveled a distance of 7 meters and was displaced by 1 meter."