(Position vector basics)
A particle is observed from an origin O that lies at the intersection of mutually perpendicular x– and y–axes on a horizontal floor.
(i) Define a position vector in two dimensions with respect to an origin. State its usual unit-vector form.
(ii) The particle is at point P(−3m,4m). Write the position vector rOP in unit-vector notation and explain the physical meaning of the negative sign in its x-component.
(iii) If the particle travels from O to P along an arbitrary curved track of length 8m, distinguish between the distance travelled and the displacement obtained for this motion.