Learning Introductory Physics with Activities

At \(t_1\text{,}\) car A and car B are each located at position \(x_o\) moving forward at speed \(v\text{.}\) At \(t_2\text{,}\) car A is located at position \(2x_o\) moving forward at speed \(3v\text{,}\) while car B is located at position \(2x_o\) but is moving backward at speed \(v\text{.}\)

Is the average velocity of car A between \(t_1\) and \(t_2\) greater than, less than, or equal to the average velocity of car B between \(t_1\) and \(t_2\text{?}\)

Two bumper cars roll toward each other as shown in the figure below. The left side shows the cars before they bounce and the right side shows the cars after they bounce. The vector beside each car represents the velocity of the car at that instant.

Is the magnitude of the average acceleration of the top bumper car greater than, less than, or equal to the magnitude of the average acceleration of the bottom bumper car?

You release a ball from rest at the top of a ramp and decide to assume that the ball’s acceleration is constant as it speeds up moving down the ramp. You observe the ball at three times while it is on the ramp: \(t_A = 1.5 \mathrm{~s}\text{,}\) \(t_B = 3.0 \mathrm{~s}\text{,}\) and \(t_C = 4.5 \mathrm{~s}\text{.}\) Using these observations, you determine \(\Delta v_{AB}\) (the change in velocity between \(t_A\) and \(t_B\)) and \(\Delta v_{BC}\) (the change in velocity between \(t_B\) and \(t_C\)).

Is the magnitude of \(\Delta v_{BC}\) greater than, less than, or equal to the magnitude of \(\Delta v_{AB}\text{?}\)