Awhale swims due east for a distance of 6.9 km, turns around and goes due west for 1.8 km, and finally turns around again and heads 3.7 km due east, (a) what is the total distance traveled by the whale? (b) what are the magnitude and direction of the displacement of the whale?

a) 12.4 km

b) 8.8 km

Explanation:

a) Distance is the total space covered by an object in its entire journey.

So, distance = 6.9+1.8+3.7 = 12.4 km

Distance travelled by the whale is 12.4 km

b) Displacement is the minimum distance between the final and initial point of the journey.

Let us take direction towards East as positive and direction towards west positive.

So, Displacement is given by

6.9-1.8+3.7 = 8.8 km

The displacement of the whale is 8.8 km