Question

if you go on a 5 mile hike that starts and ends at the trading post, what distance did you travel and what is your displacement? the distance i traveled is 5 miles, but my displacement is 0 miles. the distance i traveled is 0 miles, but my displacement is 5 miles. i traveled 5 miles, and my displacement is 5 miles.

Explanation:

Step1: Define distance and displacement

Distance is total path length, displacement is straight - line distance from start to end.

Step2: Analyze given situation

Hike is 5 miles long and starts/ends at same point. Total path length (distance) is 5 miles. Since start and end points are same, straight - line distance (displacement) is 0 miles.

Answer:

The distance I traveled is 5 miles, but my displacement is 0 miles.