Source: Extra Practice

A body moves 4 m4\text{ m} towards east and then 3 m3\text{ m} towards north. Finally, it climbs a vertical pole of height 12 m12\text{ m}. The magnitude of the total displacement of the body is:

Options

Option A is correct

13 m13\text{ m}

Option B

19 m19\text{ m}

Option C

5 m5\text{ m}

Option D

15 m15\text{ m}

Explanation

Let the east direction be along the positive x-axis (i^\hat{i}), north be along the positive y-axis (j^\hat{j}), and vertically upward be along the positive z-axis (k^\hat{k}). The displacement vector of the body is s=4i^+3j^+12k^\vec{s} = 4\hat{i} + 3\hat{j} + 12\hat{k}. The magnitude of this displacement vector is s=42+32+122=16+9+144=169=13 m|\vec{s}| = \sqrt{4^2 + 3^2 + 12^2} = \sqrt{16 + 9 + 144} = \sqrt{169} = 13\text{ m}. The option 19 m19\text{ m} is the simple distance path length (4+3+12=194+3+12=19), which is incorrect for displacement. 5 m5\text{ m} only considers the horizontal displacement (4i^+3j^4\hat{i} + 3\hat{j}), neglecting the height. Thus, 13 m13\text{ m} is the correct total displacement magnitude.