A horizontal number line has its origin labeled 0 m at the center. Three arrows representing one-dimensional displacements are drawn on this line and labeled A, B, and C.
• Arrow A begins at the origin and points to the right. Its measured length on the page is 3.0 cm.
• Arrow B also begins at the origin but points to the left. Its length is 2.0 cm.
• Arrow C begins at the origin, points to the left, and is 5.0 cm long.
A note printed next to the diagram states that 1.0 cm of arrow length corresponds to 2.0 m of displacement.
Answer the following questions about the three arrows. Use the positive x-direction as pointing to the right.
(a) Determine the algebraic value (including sign and units) of the displacement represented by each arrow.
(b) Rank the three arrows in order of increasing magnitude of displacement. Justify your ranking without performing any additional numerical calculations.
(c) Explain why an arrow of zero length is a complete graphical representation of zero displacement on a number line.