HW #2 (Motion Graphs) (Answers)

Directions: For each multiple choice question, choose the correct answer and then explain why your
answer is right.

1.

The graph above shows the velocity versus time for an object moving in a straight line. At what time
after t = 0 does the object again pass through its initial position?
(A) Between 0 and 1 s (B) 1 s (C) Between 1 and 2 s
(D) 2s (E) Between 2 and 3 s

Explanation:
Answer is C because you must determine the area between the graphed line and the x-axis to know
displacement. The displacement during the 1st second is -0.5m. The displacement during the next second
is +1m. So, the object returns to its starting position sometime between 1 and 2 seconds.

2. A figure of a dancer on a music box moves counterclockwise at constant speed around the path shown
above. The path is such that the lengths of its segments, PQ, QR, RS, and SP, are equal. Arcs QR
and SP are semicircles. Which of the following best represents the magnitude of the dancer's
acceleration as a function of time t during one trip around the path, beginning at point P ?

Explanation: Answer is B. Between points P & Q and R & S the object has no acceleration therefore
graphs A,C,and E are wrong. Next, between points Q&R and S&P the object is changing direction through
a circular path. Therefore, the object is accelerating at a constant rate making graph D wrong as well.
Questions 3-4
Three objects can only move along a straight, level path. The graphs below show the position d of each of
the objects plotted as a function of time t.

3.

The magnitude of the velocity of the object is increasing in which of the cases?
(A) II only
(B) III only
(C) I and II only
(D) I and III only
Explanation:
Answer is B, because only graph III shows a change in speed.
4. The acceleration of the object is zero in which of the cases?
(A) II only
(B) III only
(C) I and II only
(D) I and III only
Explanation:
Answer is C, because only graph III shows a change in speed.

(E) I, II, and III

(E) I, II, and III

Free Response:
A 0.50 kg cart moves on a straight horizontal track. The graph of velocity v versus time t
for the cart is given below.

a. Indicate every time t for which the cart is at rest.

Time = 4 sec.

Time = 18 sec.

b. Indicate every time interval for which the speed (magnitude of velocity) of the
cart is increasing.
From T= 4 sec. to T= 9 sec. and From T= 18 sec. to T = 20 sec.
c. Determine the horizontal position x of the cart at t = 9.0 s if the cart is located at x
= 2.0 m at t = 0.
The area between the line and the x-axis between 0-4 seconds = +1.6m
The area between the line and the x-axis between 4-9 seconds = -2.5m
The total displacement for the cart during 0-9 seconds is -0.9m
The position of the cart at t=9.0s is then 2.0m-0.9m = 1.1m

d. Indicate the time interval for which the acceleration is negative. Determine the
magnitude of the acceleration.
The acceleration is negative during the time interval T=0s to T=9s.
Taking the slope of the line gives the acceleration value of -0.2m/s/s.

e.

Indicate every time interval for which the acceleration is positive.

The acceleration is positive during two different intervals. First between T=9s to T=12s.
And, then again from T=18s to T=20s.