Question

John travels $250\text{m}$ to North but then back-tracks to South for $100\text{m}$ to pick up a friend. What is John’s total displacement?

• A. $100\text{m}$
• B. $150\text{m}$
• C. $50\text{m}$
• D. $250\text{m}$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $150\text{m}$

Let us say the initial position of john $x_i=0$
And, his final position is the distance travelled in North minus distance travelled in South i.e. $x_f=250-100=150\text{m}$
Hence, the displacement of John is given as
$D=x_f-x_i=150-0=150\text{m}$