Question

two cars started at the same position and were driven through a city using different streets. the red car traveled north 2 miles, then east 4 miles, and then south 6 miles. the green car traveled south 4 miles and then east 4 miles. both cars ended at the same location. which best compares the motion of the cars? the red car traveled a shorter distance, but the displacement of the cars was equal. the green car traveled a shorter distance, but the displacement of the cars was equal. the green car had a shorter displacement, but the distance traveled by the cars was equal. the red car had a shorter displacement, but the distance traveled by the cars was equal.

Explanation:

Distance is the total length of the path traveled. The red - car traveled \(2 + 4+6=12\) miles. The green - car traveled \(4 + 4 = 8\) miles, so the green car traveled a shorter distance. Displacement is the straight - line distance from the starting point to the ending point. Since both cars started and ended at the same locations, their displacements are equal.

Answer:

The green car traveled a shorter distance, but the displacement of the cars was equal.