Question

1. a position vs. time graph of a frog swimming across a pond has two distinct straight - line sections. the slope of the first section is 1 m/s. the slope of the second section is 0 m/s. if each section lasts 1 second, then what is the frogs total average velocity? a. 0 m/s b. 2 m/s c. 0.5 m/s d. 1 m/s

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate distance in first - section

The slope of a position - time graph is velocity. Using $d = v\times t$, for the first section with $v_1=1\ m/s$ and $t_1 = 1\ s$, we have $d_1=v_1\times t_1=1\times1 = 1\ m$.

Step2: Calculate distance in second - section

For the second section with $v_2 = 0\ m/s$ and $t_2=1\ s$, using $d = v\times t$, we get $d_2=v_2\times t_2=0\times1 = 0\ m$.

Step3: Calculate total distance and total time

The total distance $d=d_1 + d_2=1 + 0=1\ m$. The total time $t=t_1 + t_2=1+1 = 2\ s$.

Step4: Calculate average velocity

The average velocity $v_{avg}=\frac{d}{t}$. Substituting $d = 1\ m$ and $t = 2\ s$, we get $v_{avg}=\frac{1}{2}=0.5\ m/s$.

Answer:

c. $0.5\ m/s$