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 At a certain point, the ball traveled faster than 3 m/s. At a certain point, the ball traveled faster than 3 m/s. The ball traveled at a constant speed of 3 m/s. The ball traveled at a constant speed of 3 m/s. The ball never went faster than 3 m/s. The ball never went faster than 3 m/s. It took the ball 3 s to reach the halfway point down the ramp.

Answer 1

To evaluate the statements given the average speed of the ball down the ramp, let’s analyze them one by one.

1. At a certain point, the ball traveled faster than 3 m/s.

   • This statement can be true. Average speed does not indicate that the object traveled at that speed the entire time. It is possible for the ball to have some points where its speed exceeds 3 m/s while having an average speed of 3 m/s overall.

2. The ball traveled at a constant speed of 3 m/s.

   • This statement cannot be true if the average speed is specifically stated to be 3 m/s, as the wording suggests variable speed unless otherwise stated.

3. The ball never went faster than 3 m/s.

   • This statement does not have to be true either. The average speed being 3 m/s allows for the possibility of the ball exceeding that speed at times.

4. It took the ball 3 s to reach the halfway point down the ramp.

   • To reach the halfway point (1.5 m) at an average speed of 3 m/s would take 0.5 s, not 3 s. Therefore, this statement is not true.

Based on the analysis, the most accurate conclusion is:

• At a certain point, the ball traveled faster than 3 m/s.