Question

name: chapter 2.2 - speed and velocity b a students asked her friend to help her measure her progress during a 400 meter race. friend a put a gps belt on the runner that would track her position as she moves around the track. friend b stood at the starting line and pointed a laser rangefinder at the runner to measure how far away she was at each point as she moved around the track. 1. was student a measuring distance or displacement? what is the justification for your answer? use complete sentences to receive full credit. 2. was student b measuring distance of displacement? what is the justification for your answer? use complete sentences to receive full credit.

Explanation:

1. Student A with the GPS belt is measuring distance. A GPS belt tracks the actual path length the runner travels around the track. Distance is the total length of the path covered, and the GPS records the runner's movement along the entire route on the track.
2. Student B with the laser rangefinder at the starting - line is measuring displacement. Displacement is the straight - line distance from the starting point to the current position of the runner. The laser rangefinder measures the straight - line distance from the fixed starting point to the runner at each point on the track.

Answer:

1. Student A is measuring distance. Justification: A GPS belt tracks the total path length the runner moves along the track, which is the definition of distance.
2. Student B is measuring displacement. Justification: The laser rangefinder at the starting line measures the straight - line distance from the starting point to the runner's current position, which is the definition of displacement.