roy is riding the merry - go - round at the c...
roy is riding the merry - go - round at the carnival while his mom waits for him on a bench. roy gets to go around a few times, waving to his mom each time he passes before the ride ends. which graph could show roys distance from his mom over time?
Answer
# Explanation:
## Step1: Analyze Roy's motion
Roy moves in a circular - path on the merry - go - round. His distance from his mom on the bench will vary periodically as he goes around. When he is on the side of the merry - go - round closest to his mom, the distance is minimum. When he is on the opposite side, the distance is maximum.
## Step2: Evaluate graph options
The first two graphs (the ones with non - periodic and non - repeating shapes) do not represent periodic motion. The correct graph should show a periodic pattern of the distance changing over time. The third and fourth graphs are periodic. But the fourth graph has a flat part in the middle of each cycle which does not make sense as Roy's motion on the merry - go - round is continuous and his distance from his mom should be continuously changing. The third graph shows a smooth, periodic variation of distance with time which is consistent with Roy's motion on the merry - go - round.
# Answer: The third graph (the one with smooth, periodic waves without flat parts in the middle of each cycle)