PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A car travels along a straight, level road on which a coordinate axis has been laid out. The origin is located at a highway mile marker, and positions to the east are positive. At t=0 the car is at x=−35m. It then moves directly east and reaches x=+120m at t=8.0s.
(1) Calculate the car’s signed displacement for the 8.0s interval.
(2) Determine the car’s average velocity during this interval, including its sign and units.
(3) Compute the total distance the car actually traveled. Compare this distance to the magnitude of the displacement and explain any difference.