Question

A female bear leaves her bear cubs in their den to go out in search of food. She travels one mile in 30 minutes, heading east. She travels quickly at first, but then she becomes tired and begins moving more slowly. She finds no food, so she then heads north for another 10 minutes. She finds a river so she is able to catch a few fish for her bear cubs. She then turns around and heads back toward her den. She travels southwest and returns home to feed her cubs.

Identify and describe all points of acceleration in the scenario about the bear and her cubs.
Make sure to explain why each example is a point of acceleration.

Answer 1

Points of acceleration:

1. When female bear goes quickly

2. After becoming tired, when she becomes slow

3. When she changes direction from east to north

4.When she slows down when she reaches the river bed

5. When she turns around

6.When she increases speed to travel southwest to return home

7. When she comes to a stop at home

Step-by-step explanation:

1. When she is going quickly she is increasing her velocity thus positively accelerating

2. When she becomes slow, she is having negative acceleration.

3. When there is a change in direction of velocity there is an acceleration.

4. Again negative acceleration when she comes to a stop at the river bed

5. Turning around to the southwest direction requires acceleration

6. To increase the velocity to reach home, positive acceleration

7. To decrease the velocity to stop upon reaching home, negative acceleration