A2L Item 154

• Description: Indicate the total distance traveled after a series of displacements.
• Goal: Distinguish distance traveled from displacement
• Source: CT151.2-1
• Keywords: Displacement, Mechanics

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The question for students:

Andy has the following series of displacements: 3 m to the right; 4 m to the left; 5 m to the right; and 2 m to the left. What is his distance traveled?

1. 0
2. 2 m
3. 2 m (to the right)
4. 2 m (to the left)
5. 14 m (to the right)
6. 8 m (to the right)
7. Impossible to determine
8. None of the above

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Commentary for teachers:

Answer

(8) Students just learning about vectors and displacements are inclined to over specify quantities. Before they knew anything about vectors they used distance as a scalar but can become confused and give it the direction of the total displacement.

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