Displacement Physics Example 2
Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.
Example 2
mediumA runner completes one full lap around a circular track. What is the runner's displacement and total distance?
Solution
- 1 The runner returns to the starting point after one full lap.
- 2 Distance traveled: (total path length).
- 3 Displacement: (start and end positions are the same).
Answer
Displacement depends only on the initial and final positions, not on the path taken. For a closed loop, the displacement is always zero regardless of the distance traveled.
About Displacement
The change in position of an object, measured as the straight-line distance and direction from the starting point to the ending point.
Learn more about Displacement →More Displacement Examples
Example 1 easy
A person walks [formula] east and then [formula] north. What is the total distance traveled and the
Example 3 easyA car drives [formula] north and then [formula] south. What is the displacement?
Example 4 mediumA hiker walks [formula] north, then [formula] east. What is the hiker's total distance walked and th