PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
Two students, P and Q, start walking from the same gate of their school at the same instant and move along the straight road in front of the building. Their motions are represented on a single position–time graph by two straight lines that both pass through the origin.
• Line for P passes through the point (10 min, 600 m).
• Line for Q passes through the point (10 min, 400 m).
Answer the following questions based on this information:
(i) What physical quantity is represented by the slope of a straight line on a position–time graph? Explain briefly.
(ii) Using the given points, determine which student walks with the greater speed. Justify your answer with a suitable calculation.
(iii) If both students continue to walk with the same uniform speeds, will their position–time lines meet again at any point other than the origin? Give reason for your answer.