A hiker starts from camp point and follows the route described below: • walks due…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A hiker starts from camp point C and follows the route described below:
• walks 60m due north to point D
• then walks 80m due east to point E
• finally walks 60m due south to point F.
(i) Draw a neat sketch of the hiker’s path, indicating all the distances and directions.
(ii) Calculate the total distance travelled by the hiker.
(iii) Determine the magnitude of the net displacement CF.
(iv) Show, by suitable calculation, that the magnitude of the displacement obtained in part (iii) is less than the total distance travelled.
(v) Under what general condition will the distance travelled by an object be equal to the magnitude of its displacement? Illustrate your answer with one suitable example.