Problem 2 Solution: The

position-time graph on the right

shows the motion of three
different pedestrians walking
along a sidewalk, creatively
named A, B and C.

a) Compare the starting positions for A, B, and C.

B starts nearest the origin, A starts away from the origin and C starts even farther away.

b) Compare the velocities for A, B, and C.

A and B have identical velocities traveling away from the origin since their graphs have the same
positive slope. C has a greater velocity than A and B since its slope is steeper, but since its slope
is negative, its motion is toward the origin.

c) Compare the displacements for A, B, and C for the motion depicted on the graphs.
A and B have identical displacements (change in position) and C has a larger displacement than
A and B.

d) Explain what crossings x and y represent.

Crossing x corresponds to when pedestrians A and C are at the same place at the same time and
crossing y corresponds to when pedestrians B and C are at the same place at the same time.