Question

18 multiple choice 1 point lets compare someone falling and coming to rest onto a trampoline to someone falling onto the ground. in which scenario, if either, does the person experience a greater change in velocity?

Explanation:

Velocity is a vector quantity, so change in velocity depends on initial and final velocity (including direction). Assume the person falls from the same height, so initial downward velocity just before impact is $v_i$ (negative if upward is positive).

1. For the ground: The person comes to rest, so final velocity $v_f = 0$. Change in velocity is $\Delta v_{ground} = 0 - v_i = -v_i$ (magnitude $|v_i|$).
2. For the trampoline: The person first stops, then bounces upward, so final velocity $v_f$ is positive (upward). Change in velocity is $\Delta v_{trampoline} = v_f - v_i$. Since $v_i$ is negative, this becomes $v_f + |v_i|$, which has a greater magnitude than $|v_i|$.

Answer:

The person experiences a greater change in velocity when falling onto the trampoline.