During a trial run, race car A starts from rest and accelerates uniformly along a straight level track for a particular interval of time. Race car B also starts from rest and accelerates at the same rate, but for twice the time. At the end of their respective acceleration periods, which of the following statements is true?

Car A has traveled a greater distance.

Car B has traveled twice as far as A.

Car B has traveled four times as far as car A.

Both cars have traveled the same distance.

Question

During a trial run, race car A starts from rest and accelerates uniformly along a straight level track for a particular interval of time. Race car B also starts from rest and accelerates at the same rate, but for twice the time. At the end of their respective acceleration periods, which of the following statements is true?

 Car A has traveled a greater distance.

 Car B has traveled twice as far as A.

 Car B has traveled four times as far as car A.

 Both cars have traveled the same distance.

anonymous · Answer

I think this is one of those "if it seems easy you're doing it wrong." problems. Would B have traveled double the distance, or are they the same?

irishboy123 · Answer

most basic approach

given it is constant acceleration, you can calculate an end speed for each car, thus an average speed for each car, and thus a distance travelled for each car.  

all bearing in mind that B travels for twice the time of A

anonymous · Answer

thank you so much!