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Ch 02: Kinematics in One Dimension
Chapter 2, Problem 2.61c

Ann and Carol are driving their cars along the same straight road. Carol is located at x = 2.4 mi at t = 0 h and drives at a steady 36 mph. Ann, who is traveling in the same direction, is located at x = 0.0 mi at t = 0.50 h and drives at a steady 50 mph.


c. Draw a position-versus-time graph showing the motion of both Ann and Carol.

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1
Step 1: Determine the equations of motion for both Ann and Carol. For Carol, who starts at x = 2.4 mi at t = 0 h and moves at 36 mph, her position x at any time t (in hours) can be described by the equation x = 2.4 + 36t. For Ann, who starts at x = 0.0 mi at t = 0.50 h and moves at 50 mph, her position x at any time t (in hours) can be described by the equation x = 50(t - 0.5).
Step 2: Choose a suitable range for the time variable t to plot the graph. Since Ann starts at t = 0.5 h, you might choose a range from t = 0 h to t = 2 h to clearly show the motion of both cars over a reasonable period.
Step 3: Calculate the positions of Ann and Carol at various times within the chosen range using their respective equations. For example, calculate their positions at t = 0.5 h, t = 1 h, t = 1.5 h, and t = 2 h.
Step 4: Plot these positions on a graph with time t on the horizontal axis and position x on the vertical axis. Use different colors or markers for Ann and Carol to distinguish their paths.
Step 5: Label the graph appropriately with a title, and axes labels. Indicate the units used on both axes and provide a legend to identify the lines corresponding to Ann and Carol.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Position vs. Time Graph

A position vs. time graph visually represents the location of an object over time. The x-axis typically represents time, while the y-axis represents position. The slope of the line indicates the object's velocity; a steeper slope means a higher speed. This graph is essential for comparing the motion of multiple objects, as it allows for a direct visual comparison of their positions at any given time.
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Constant Velocity

Constant velocity refers to an object moving at a steady speed in a straight line without changing direction. In this scenario, both Ann and Carol are driving at constant velocities of 50 mph and 36 mph, respectively. This means their speeds do not vary over time, allowing for straightforward calculations of their positions at any given time using the formula: position = initial position + (velocity × time).
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Relative Positioning

Relative positioning involves understanding the locations of objects in relation to one another. In this problem, Carol starts at 2.4 miles and Ann at 0.0 miles, with different velocities. Analyzing their relative positions over time is crucial for determining when and where they might meet or how far apart they are at any given moment, which is key to accurately drawing the position vs. time graph.
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