Lesson eLearning

A student walks 5 km east and then 3 km west. What is his displacement?

easy 1 mark Class 7 · Science · Motion and Time
Answer
2 km east

The correct answer is 2 km east — So the displacement is 2 km east.

Step-by-step solution

  1. We find displacement by subtracting the backward distance from the forward distance.
  2. The forward distance is 5 km east.
  3. The backward distance is 3 km west, which reduces the forward distance.
  4. Displacement = 5 km – 3 km = 2 km east.
  5. So the displacement is 2 km east.
Common mistake: Adding the two distances instead of subtracting them

Concept tested: displacement

Published · How this solution was prepared and checked

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