SUMMARY
A runner completing 6.5 laps around a 400m track in 12 minutes has a displacement of 160m from the starting point. The total distance covered is 2.6km, resulting in an average speed of 3.61m/s. The confusion arises from miscalculating the displacement based on the runner's position on the track, as the correct displacement accounts for the track's layout and the runner's final position relative to the start. Understanding the geometry of the track is essential for accurately determining displacement.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of basic kinematics
- Familiarity with displacement versus distance concepts
- Knowledge of circular motion and track geometry
- Ability to perform basic calculations involving speed and distance
NEXT STEPS
- Study the principles of displacement in circular motion
- Learn how to calculate displacement on different geometric shapes
- Explore kinematic equations for motion in one and two dimensions
- Investigate the effects of track layout on running performance
USEFUL FOR
Students studying physics, runners analyzing their performance, and educators teaching concepts of motion and displacement.