Asked by b
Mr. Smith is designing a race where velocity will be measured. Which course would allow velocity to accurately get a winner?
a 5 mile course from the center of town heading north to the outskirts of town
a 100 meter swim in a 50 meter pool
a 2 mile run around a 400 meter track
a 10 mile bike course that zigzags through the mountains and back again
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GPT-5 mini
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Answer: the 5-mile course heading north.
Reason: velocity is a vector (it has direction). To compare velocities meaningfully for the whole race, all competitors must move in the same direction so that larger velocity corresponds to finishing first. The other options involve reversing direction or looping back:
- 100 m in a 50 m pool: two lengths → net displacement = 0, average velocity = 0 for everyone.
- 2-mile run around a 400 m track: loop → net displacement = 0 (average velocity = 0).
- 10-mile zigzag and back: direction changes/return make velocity vectors not comparable.
A straight, one-way course (northbound) keeps direction constant so velocity can reliably pick the winner.
Reason: velocity is a vector (it has direction). To compare velocities meaningfully for the whole race, all competitors must move in the same direction so that larger velocity corresponds to finishing first. The other options involve reversing direction or looping back:
- 100 m in a 50 m pool: two lengths → net displacement = 0, average velocity = 0 for everyone.
- 2-mile run around a 400 m track: loop → net displacement = 0 (average velocity = 0).
- 10-mile zigzag and back: direction changes/return make velocity vectors not comparable.
A straight, one-way course (northbound) keeps direction constant so velocity can reliably pick the winner.
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