An ant on a picnic table travels 30.0 cm to the east, then 15.0 cm to the west. What is the magnitude of the ant's displacement from its original position?

Question

a
45 cm to the east
b
15 cm to the west
c
15 cm to the east
d
45 cm to the west

Answer 1

To find the magnitude of the ant's displacement from its original position, we need to consider the total movement.

1. The ant travels 30.0 cm to the east.
2. Then, it travels 15.0 cm to the west.

To find the net displacement:

1. Starting from the original position, moving 30.0 cm east, we can represent that as +30.0 cm.
2. Moving 15.0 cm to the west is represented as -15.0 cm.

Now, we calculate the net displacement: \[ \text{Net Displacement} = 30.0 , \text{cm} - 15.0 , \text{cm} = 15.0 , \text{cm} \] Since the net movement is in the eastern direction, the ant's displacement from the original position is 15.0 cm to the east.

So, the answer is: c. 15 cm to the east.