Question
In a science experiment, a student releases a ball down a 3 m ramp. If the ball has an average speed of 3 m/s, which of the following must be true?(1 point)
Responses
The ball traveled at a constant speed of 3 m/s.
The ball traveled at a constant speed of 3 m/s.
It took the ball 3 s to reach the halfway point down the ramp.
It took the ball 3 s to reach the halfway point down the ramp.
The ball never went faster than 3 m/s.
The ball never went faster than 3 m/s.
At a certain point, the ball traveled faster than 3 m/s.
Responses
The ball traveled at a constant speed of 3 m/s.
The ball traveled at a constant speed of 3 m/s.
It took the ball 3 s to reach the halfway point down the ramp.
It took the ball 3 s to reach the halfway point down the ramp.
The ball never went faster than 3 m/s.
The ball never went faster than 3 m/s.
At a certain point, the ball traveled faster than 3 m/s.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To analyze the situation based on the information provided (the ball travels 3 m down a ramp with an average speed of 3 m/s), let's evaluate the statements:
1. **The ball traveled at a constant speed of 3 m/s.**
- This statement is **not necessarily true**. An average speed of 3 m/s does not imply that the speed was constant throughout its descent. The ball could have accelerated or decelerated at different points.
2. **It took the ball 3 s to reach the halfway point down the ramp.**
- The halfway point down a 3 m ramp is at 1.5 m. With an average speed of 3 m/s for the entire distance, it would take 1 second to travel the full 3 m. Therefore, it would take **less than 1.5 s** to reach the halfway point. This statement is **not true**.
3. **The ball never went faster than 3 m/s.**
- This statement is also **not necessarily true**. The average speed being 3 m/s does not mean that the ball couldn't have gone faster than this at some points during its travel, especially if it was accelerating.
4. **At a certain point, the ball traveled faster than 3 m/s.**
- This statement could be true if the ball accelerated down the ramp. Since the average speed is 3 m/s and the ball could have started from rest and accelerated, this means it is possible the ball reached a speed faster than 3 m/s during its descent. Therefore, this statement **could be true**.
Based on the analysis, the only statement that **must be true** is that the other statements are not necessarily true. However, **the fourth statement "At a certain point, the ball traveled faster than 3 m/s" is plausible and could be true.**
In conclusion, none of the statements provide absolute certainty—they all hinge on the behavior of the ball on the ramp regarding its speed.
1. **The ball traveled at a constant speed of 3 m/s.**
- This statement is **not necessarily true**. An average speed of 3 m/s does not imply that the speed was constant throughout its descent. The ball could have accelerated or decelerated at different points.
2. **It took the ball 3 s to reach the halfway point down the ramp.**
- The halfway point down a 3 m ramp is at 1.5 m. With an average speed of 3 m/s for the entire distance, it would take 1 second to travel the full 3 m. Therefore, it would take **less than 1.5 s** to reach the halfway point. This statement is **not true**.
3. **The ball never went faster than 3 m/s.**
- This statement is also **not necessarily true**. The average speed being 3 m/s does not mean that the ball couldn't have gone faster than this at some points during its travel, especially if it was accelerating.
4. **At a certain point, the ball traveled faster than 3 m/s.**
- This statement could be true if the ball accelerated down the ramp. Since the average speed is 3 m/s and the ball could have started from rest and accelerated, this means it is possible the ball reached a speed faster than 3 m/s during its descent. Therefore, this statement **could be true**.
Based on the analysis, the only statement that **must be true** is that the other statements are not necessarily true. However, **the fourth statement "At a certain point, the ball traveled faster than 3 m/s" is plausible and could be true.**
In conclusion, none of the statements provide absolute certainty—they all hinge on the behavior of the ball on the ramp regarding its speed.