A body is first displaced by 5 m and then by 12 m in different directions. The minimum displacement it can have is _______m.

Options

A. 0
B. 17
C. 7
D. 13

Answer

To solve the problem of finding the minimum displacement of a body that is first displaced by 5 m and then by 12 m in different directions, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Displacement**: Displacement is defined as the shortest distance from the initial position to the final position of an object. It is a vector quantity, which means it has both magnitude and direction.

2. **Visualizing the Problem**:
- Let's denote the initial position of the body as point A.
- The body is first displaced by 5 m in one direction (let's say to point B).
- Then, it is displaced by 12 m in a different direction (let's say to point C).

3. **Considering Directions**:
- The two displacements can be in different directions. The minimum displacement occurs when the two displacements are in opposite directions.
- If the body moves 5 m in one direction and then 12 m in the opposite direction, the total displacement can be calculated as:
\[ \text{Minimum Displacement} = |12 - 5| = 7 \text{ m} \]

4. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the minimum displacement the body can have after these two movements is 7 m.

### Final Answer:
The minimum displacement it can have is **7 m**.

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