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Chapter 2: Problem 2

A squirrel is trying to locate some nuts he buried for the winter. He moves \(4.0 \mathrm{m}\) to the right of a stone and digs unsuccessfully. Then he moves \(1.0 \mathrm{m}\) to the left of his hole, changes his mind, and moves \(6.5 \mathrm{m}\) to the right of that position and digs a second hole. No luck. Then he moves \(8.3 \mathrm{m}\) to the left and digs again. He finds a nut at last. What is the squirrel's total displacement from its starting point?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The squirrel's total displacement is 1.2m to the right.

Step by step solution

01

Identify squirrel's movements

List out all the movements of the squirrel. There are 4 movements: 1. Moves \(4.0\mathrm{m}\) to the right. 2. Moves \(1.0\mathrm{m}\) to the left. 3. Moves \(6.5\mathrm{m}\) to the right. 4. Moves \(8.3\mathrm{m}\) to the left.
02

Calculate displacements for each movement

We represent right movements as positive displacements and left movements as negative displacements. 1. \(+4.0\mathrm{m}\) 2. \(-1.0\mathrm{m}\) 3. \(+6.5\mathrm{m}\) 4. \(-8.3\mathrm{m}\)
03

Add the displacements to find the total displacement

Now, we sum up all the displacements: Total Displacement = \(4.0\mathrm{m} - 1.0\mathrm{m} + 6.5\mathrm{m} -8.3\mathrm{m}\)
04

Calculate the total displacement

Perform the calculation: Total Displacement = \(1.2\mathrm{m}\) (to the right) The squirrel's total displacement from its starting point is \(1.2\mathrm{m}\) to the right.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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