Question

which statement best describes the cart?
the cart accelerated at a constant rate of approximately 0.8m/s².
the cart was stationary with a velocity of 0m/s for the entire 7 seconds.
the cart moved at a constant velocity of 0.5m/s for the entire 7 seconds.
the cart was stationary except for a short burst of acceleration of 0.5m/s².

Explanation:

To determine the correct statement, we analyze each option:

• Option 2 claims the cart was stationary (velocity 0) for 7 seconds. But if there was acceleration or constant velocity, this is false.
• Option 3 says constant velocity of 0.5 m/s for 7s. If acceleration is non - zero, this is wrong.
• Option 4 says stationary except a short burst. But the first option says constant acceleration of ~0.8 m/s², implying continuous acceleration, not a short burst.
• Option 1: Acceleration \(a=\frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}\). If we assume velocity changes over time, a constant acceleration of ~0.8 m/s² would mean velocity is changing at a constant rate, which is consistent with accelerated motion. The other options have contradictions (stationary can't have velocity or acceleration as in other options; constant velocity implies acceleration 0, conflicting with acceleration claims in other wrong options).

Answer:

The cart accelerated at a constant rate of approximately \(0.8\,\text{m/s}^2\).