Question

1. Here are three pairs of initial and final positions, respectively; along an x-axis. Which pairs give a negative displacement: (a) -3 m, 5 m; (b) -3 m, -7 m; (c) 7 m, -3 m?

Answer 1

Displacement = final position − initial position.

(a) 5 − (−3) = 8 m (positive)
(b) −7 − (−3) = −4 m (negative)
(c) −3 − 7 = −10 m (negative)

So pairs (b) and (c) give negative displacement.