PHYSICS · Subjective · CBSE · Physics · Motion in a Plane · Motion in a Plane
Problem
A hiker starts from a camp, walks in four straight-line segments and then halts for lunch.
(i) The first segment is 4km due east, the second 3km due north, the third 5km due west and the fourth 2km due south. Express each segment as a displacement vector in terms of east (x-axis) and north (y-axis) components.
(ii) Obtain the resultant displacement vector of the entire trek by adding the components.
(iii) Calculate the magnitude of the resultant displacement and its direction measured counter-clockwise from the eastward direction.
(iv) Compare the total path length actually walked with the magnitude of the resultant displacement and state why the two values differ.