Question

Which of the following describes a situation in which the total distance a basketball player travels is 0 meters from his starting point?

A) The player runs 9 meters forward and then runs 0 meters in the opposite direction
B) The player runs 5 meters forward and then runs 6 meters in the opposite direction
C) The player runs 6 meters forward and then runs 5 meters in the opposite direction
D) The player runs 4 meters forward and then runs 4 meters the opposite direction

Answer 1

Option D is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Total distance cannot be zero for the options given. The question should be total displacement.

Let positive X axis represents forward direction of basket ball player and negative X axis represents backward direction of basket ball player.

We have horizontal component along X axis represented by unit vector i.

Option A

The player runs 9 meters forward and then runs 0 meters in the opposite direction

Total displacement = 9 i - 0 i = 9 i m

Option B

The player runs 5 meters forward and then runs 6 meters in the opposite direction

Total displacement = 5 i - 6 i = -1 i m

Option C

The player runs 6 meters forward and then runs 5 meters in the opposite direction

Total displacement = 6 i - 5 i = 1 i m

Option D

The player runs 4 meters forward and then runs 4 meters the opposite direction

Total displacement = 4 i - 4 i = 0 i m

From the above values it is clear that the magnitude of option D is zero, all other displacement has non negative magnitude.

So, Option D is the correct answer.