PhysicsLAB: Test Scenario: Velocity-Time Graph

This scenario is based on APB FRQ #1 administered in 2001.

A 0.50 kg cart moves along a straight horizontal track placed on the top of a 70-cm tall table. The graph of velocity versus time for the cart's first 25 seconds of motion is given below.

Refer to the following information for the next six questions.

(a) Indicate each time t the cart was at rest.

(b) Indicate each time interval in which the speed (magnitude of velocity) of the cart is decreasing.

(c) Determine the horizontal position x of the cart at t = 9.0 seconds if the cart is located at x = 2.0 meters at t = 0 seconds.

(d) Sketch an acceleration versus time graph for the motion of the cart from t = 0 to t = 25 seconds.

Describe why the cart has a negative acceleration in the region II?

Does the following position vs time graph match the cart's original behavior shown in the top velocity-time graph?

yesno

Refer to the following information for the next three questions.

After t = 25 seconds the cart reaches the end of the track and continues across the table's surface with constant horizontal velocity. Eventually the cart reaches the end of the table's surface and falls to the floor.

Determine the time required for the cart to strike the floor after it leaves the table's surface.

How far did it travel horizontally when its impacted the ground?

Calculate the cart's kinetic energy upon impact.