A student walks 350 m [S], then 400 m [E20°N], and finally 550 m [N10°W]. Using the component method, find the resultant (total) displacement). Round your answer to the appropriate significant figures. Round your angle to the nearest degree.

In component form, the displacement vectors become

• 350 m [S]   ==>   (0, -350) m

• 400 m [E 20° N]   ==>   (400 cos(20°), 400 sin(20°)) m

(which I interpret to mean 20° north of east]

• 550 m [N 10° W]   ==>   (550 cos(100°), 550 sin(100°)) m

Then the student's total displacement is the sum of these:

(0 + 400 cos(20°) + 550 cos(100°), -350 + 400 sin(20°) + 550 sin(100°)) m

≈ (280.371, 328.452) m

which leaves the student a distance of about 431.8 m from their starting point in a direction of around arctan(328.452/280.371) ≈ 50° from the horizontal, i.e. approximately 431.8 m [E 50° N].

an ion is a charged atom or molecule. it is charged because the number of electrons do not equal the number of protons in the atom or molecule. an atom can acquire a positive charge or a negative charge depending on whether the number of electrons in an atom is greater or less then the number of protons in the atom.