Question

1. these stick figures are each in a hurry to catch a flight. they are both walking at a speed of 1 m/s on a walkway that has a velocity of 0.5 m/s to the west. explain which stick figure is moving more quickly relative to the ground.

Explanation:

Step1: Define direction sign convention

Let west = positive, east = negative.

Step2: Calculate velocity of east-walking figure

Velocity relative to ground: $v_1 = 0.5 + (-1) = -0.5$ m/s (0.5 m/s east)
Speed: $|v_1| = 0.5$ m/s

Step3: Calculate velocity of west-walking figure

Velocity relative to ground: $v_2 = 0.5 + 1 = 1.5$ m/s (1.5 m/s west)
Speed: $|v_2| = 1.5$ m/s

Step4: Compare the two speeds

$1.5 > 0.5$, so the west-walking figure has higher speed relative to ground.

Answer:

The stick figure walking west (1 m/s west relative to the walkway) is moving more quickly relative to the ground, with a ground speed of 1.5 m/s west, compared to the east-walking figure's 0.5 m/s east ground speed.