Question

Student Exploration: Distance-Time and Velocity-Time Graphs

Directions: Follow the instructions to go through the simulation. Respond to the questions and prompts in the orange boxes.

[NOTE TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS: This lesson was designed as a follow-up to the Distance-Time Graphs Gizmo. We recommend you complete that activity before this one.]

Vocabulary: displacement, distance traveled, slope, speed, velocity

Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
Dora runs one lap around the track, finishing where she started. Clark runs a 100-yard dash along the straight side of the track.

Which runner traveled a greater distance?


Which runner had a greater change in position, start to finish?



Answers

GPT-4o mini
To answer your questions regarding Dora and Clark:

1. **Which runner traveled a greater distance?**
- **Dora** traveled a greater distance by running one lap around the track. The distance she ran is equal to the circumference of the track. In contrast, **Clark** ran a 100-yard dash, which is a fixed distance of 100 yards. Therefore, unless the track is shorter than 100 yards, Dora travelled farther.

2. **Which runner had a greater change in position, start to finish?**
- **Clark** had a greater change in position from start to finish. He started at one point and ended at another point 100 yards away. In contrast, **Dora** finished her lap at the same point where she started, resulting in zero change in position or displacement.

In summary, Dora traveled a greater distance, but Clark had a greater change in position.