Question

Bob read data from the projectile motion lab graph shown and determined that the drop time was inversely proportional to the horizontal velocity. Which of the following statements is true?

Bob's conclusion was wrong because the x-axis scale is exaggerated.

Bob's conclusion was right because the data points were connected.

Bob's conclusion was wrong because the y-axis scale is exaggerated.

Bob's conclusion was right because the x-axis scale is exaggerated.

Answer 1

Bob's conclusion was wrong because horizontal velocity and vertical velocity are independent.

Answer 2

thanks :) which answer would that be? @JamesWolf

Answer 3

I'll agree with JamesWolf. The vertical displacement only dictates the time of fall. It does not appear that any of the responses show that IMHO.

Answer 4

sorry i was being sarcastic erin :P

Answer 5

oh haha do you know the answer @JamesWolf

Answer 6

or @ScienceGuy

Answer 7

I've done some thinking and believe that the 2nd choice is the best given the present options. According to the data, an inverse relationship does exist. As the velocity increases, the time does decrease. The exaggeration (if any) of either axis has little impact on the data in this case as they are both scaled appropriately on the respective axis. Typically time is placed on the x-axis as the independent variable otherwise the data can be difficult to discern. Going back to option 2, the fact that the lines are connected implies that there exists a definitive relationship between those data points. What do you think?

Answer 8

i agree, Though its weird to see 3 out of 4 answers talk about scaling

Answer 9

I'll say perhaps its a poorly designed question but given the options, I think that is the only logical choice.

Answer 10

any scaling in the axis would be swollowed into a coefficient anyway, which doesnt change the relationship being inverse

Answer 11

thank you both so much, i think the question was poorly designed as well and it was why i was confused