Question

ordering question
click and drag on elements in order
arrange the adjoining velocity versus time plots of four toy cars in order from most distance covered (top) to least distance covered (bottom).
ⓘ instructions

Explanation:

Step1: Recall distance = area under v-t graph

For a velocity-time (v-t) graph, the distance covered is equal to the area between the graph and the time axis.

Step2: Calculate area for Graph A

Graph A is a triangle: base = 2 s, height = 4 m/s.
Area = $\frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} = \frac{1}{2} \times 2 \times 4 = 4$ meters

Step3: Calculate area for Graph B

Graph B is a triangle: base = 4 s, height = 4 m/s.
Area = $\frac{1}{2} \times 4 \times 4 = 8$ meters

Step4: Calculate area for Graph C

Graph C is a rectangle: width = 2 s, height = 4 m/s.
Area = $\text{width} \times \text{height} = 2 \times 4 = 8$ meters

Step5: Calculate area for Graph D

Graph D is a triangle: base = 8 s, height = 4 m/s.
Area = $\frac{1}{2} \times 8 \times 4 = 16$ meters

Step6: Order from most to least distance

Compare the areas: $16 > 8 = 8 > 4$. Graphs B and C have equal distance.

Answer:

1. D
2. B (or C, equal distance)
3. C (or B, equal distance)
4. A