Question

In an experiment, a shearwater (a seabird) was taken from its nest, flown 5150 km away, and released. The bird found its way back to its nest 13.5 days after release. If we place the origin at the nest and extend the +x-axis to the release point, what was the bird's average velocity in m/s. (a) for the return flight and (b) for the whole episode, from leaving the nest to returning? A. 5150 km/13.5 days B. 5150 km/6.75 days. C. 5150 km/27 days. D. 5150 km/26 days

Answer 1

The shearwater's average velocity for the return flight is calculated by dividing the displacement (5150 km converted to meters) by the time in seconds for 13.5 days, which corresponds to choice A. For the whole episode including the displacement both to and from the release point over 27 days, the answer is choice C.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the average velocity of the shearwater for its return flight, we use the formula:

velocity = displacement / time

The displacement is the distance from the original location to where the bird was released, which is 5150 km. We must convert this to meters (since velocity is requested in m/s) and the time from days to seconds:

• 5150 km = 5,150,000 meters
• 13.5 days = 13.5 × 24 × 60 × 60 seconds

Now we can calculate the average velocity for the return flight:

Average velocity = 5,150,000 m / (13.5 × 24 × 60 × 60 s)

For part (b), concerning the whole episode (taking the bird to the release point and it finding its way back), the total time is twice the time of the return flight, which is 27 days:

Average velocity for the whole episode = 5,150,000 m / (27 × 24 × 60 × 60 s)

The correct answers are therefore:

• (a) 5150 km/13.5 days
• (b) 5150 km/27 days