15. A locomotive moved 18.0 m [W] in a time of 6.00 s and stopped. After stopping, the locomotive moved 12.0 m [E] in 10.0 s.
a. Determine the distance travelled by the locomotive. Show your work.
b. Determine the displacement of the locomotive. Show your work.

Distance = 30m

Displacement = 6m W

Explanation:

Given the following:

Movement 1 = 18m W

Movement 2 = 12m E

Diatance is a scalar quantity with only magnitude and no direction. That is, in Calculating the distance moved by the locomotive, the direction of travel or movement of the object is not considered. It only measures the total amount of movement made during the Time of motion.

Therefore, total distance traveled equals :

Movement 1 + movement 2

18m + 12m = 30m

B) Displacement also measures the movement made by an object. However, Displacement is a vector quantity and therefore, considers both magnitude and direction of travel of the object. Therefore, it measures the overall change in position of the object from its starting position.

Therefore, Displacement of the locomotive equals:

18m W - 12m E = 6m E

force required to detach it is given by

charges are taken to be fundamental charge

now we have

so above is the minimum distance at which it will detach