Which of the following describes a situation in which the total distance a basketball player travels is 0 meters from his starting point? a) the player runs 9 meters forward and then runs 0 meters in the opposite direction b) the player runs 5 meters forward and then runs 6 meters in the opposite direction c) the player runs 6 meters forward and then runs 5 meters in the opposite direction d) the player runs 4 meters forward and then runs 4 meters the opposite direction

Option D is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Total distance cannot be zero for the options given. The question should be total displacement.

  Let positive X axis represents forward direction of basket ball player and negative X axis represents backward direction of basket ball player.

 We have horizontal component along X axis represented by unit vector i.

Option A

     The player runs 9 meters forward and then runs 0 meters in the opposite direction

     Total displacement = 9 i - 0 i = 9 i m

Option B

    The player runs 5 meters forward and then runs 6 meters in the opposite direction

     Total displacement = 5 i - 6 i = -1 i m

Option C

    The player runs 6 meters forward and then runs 5 meters in the opposite direction

     Total displacement = 6 i - 5 i = 1 i m

Option D

    The player runs 4 meters forward and then runs 4 meters the opposite direction

     Total displacement = 4 i - 4 i =  0 i m

From the above values it is clear that the magnitude of option D is zero, all other displacement has non negative magnitude.

  So, Option D is the correct answer.  

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