Position Physics Example 3

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 3

medium

An ant walks from position

x = -5 \text{ m}

x = 7 \text{ m}

, then back to

x = 2 \text{ m}

. What is the total distance traveled and the final displacement from the starting point?

Solution

1
Distance from $-5$ to $7$ : $|7 - (-5)| = 12 \text{ m}$ . Distance from $7$ to $2$ : $|2 - 7| = 5 \text{ m}$ . Total distance: $12 + 5 = 17 \text{ m}$ .
2
Displacement: $\Delta x = x_f - x_i = 2 - (-5) = 7 \text{ m}$ in the positive direction.

Answer

\text{Distance} = 17 \text{ m}, \quad \text{Displacement} = 7 \text{ m}

Total distance counts all ground covered regardless of direction, while displacement only depends on the starting and ending positions. This distinction is fundamental in kinematics.

About Position

The location of an object relative to a chosen reference point (origin), described using coordinates in a given reference frame.

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More Position Examples

Example 1 easy

An object starts at position [formula] and moves to [formula] along a straight line. What is the obj

Example 2 medium

A particle's position is given by [formula] (in meters, with [formula] in seconds). What is the part

Example 4 hard

A particle's position is [formula] (meters). At what times is the particle at position [formula]? Wh

← All Position Examples Position Concept

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Displacement Velocity