Question

a students motion is captured using a motion detector and displayed on the graph shown. use the graph to answer the following questions. right is defined as positive. answers have a 5% tolerance to allow for estimation. describe the direction of travel: left describe the motion: decreasing speed what is the distance traveled? unit what is the final speed? unit

Explanation:

Step1: Identify initial and final positions

Initial position is 30 m, final position is 10 m.

Step2: Calculate distance traveled

Distance = Initial position - Final position = 30 - 10 = 20 m.

Step3: Determine final speed

The graph is a straight - line, so the speed is constant. The slope of the position - time graph gives the velocity. Slope $m=\frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}=\frac{10 - 30}{12-0}=-\frac{20}{12}=-\frac{5}{3}\ m/s$. Since the speed is the magnitude of velocity, the final speed is $\frac{5}{3}\ m/s$.

Answer:

What is the distance traveled? 20 m
What is the final speed? $\frac{5}{3}\ m/s$