An ant moves from A to B and then comes back to point A and reaches C. Find the distance (d) and displacement (s) of the ant in this entire journey.
d = 15 m, s = -5 m
Step 1: Fix the starting point of ant i.e. point A.
Fix the finishing point of ant i.e. point C.
Step 2: Distance:- Length of path taken to reach C.
AB + B A + AC = 5 + 5 + 5 = 15 m
Magnitude of displacement = Shortest distance between starting and finishing point.
= CA = 5 m
Finishing point is on left of A (start point) therefore by convention displacement is -5m.(negative sign shows the position with respect to assumed origin which in turn is the starting point of the ant i.e. A)