Question

A balloon drifts 30 m toward the east in 10 s; then the wind suddenly changes and the balloon flies 50 m toward the west in the next 5 s.

a. What distance did it travel during the first 10 s?
b. What distance did it travel during the next 5 s?
c. What total distance did it travel?
d. What was its average speed during the first 10 s?
e. What was its average speed during the next 5 s?
f. What was its average speed for the entire trip?
g. What was its displacement during the first 10 s?
h. What was its displacement during the next 5 s?
i. What was its total displacement?
j. What was its average velocity during the first 10 s?
k. What was its average velocity during the next 5 s?
l. What was its average velocity for the entire trip?

Answer 1

The balloon traveled 30 m east and then 50 m west after a wind change, resulting in a total distance of 80 m and a total displacement of -20 m west. The average speeds were 3 m/s, 10 m/s, and 5.33 m/s for each respective segment and the whole journey. Average velocities were 3 m/s east, -10 m/s east, and -1.33 m/s east for each segment and overall.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question involves analyzing the motion of a balloon subject to wind forces that affect its displacement and velocity.

• a. The distance the balloon traveled during the first 10 s is 30 m.
• b. The distance the balloon traveled during the next 5 s is 50 m.
• c. The total distance the balloon traveled is 30 m + 50 m = 80 m.
• d. The average speed during the first 10 s is distance/time = 30 m / 10 s = 3 m/s.
• e. The average speed during the next 5 s is distance/time = 50 m / 5 s = 10 m/s.
• f. The average speed for the entire trip is total distance/total time = 80 m / 15 s = 5.33 m/s.
• g. The displacement during the first 10 s is 30 m east.
• h. The displacement during the next 5 s is 50 m west.
• i. The total displacement is 30 m east - 50 m west = -20 m (or 20 m west).
• j. The average velocity during the first 10 s is displacement/time = 30 m east / 10 s = 3 m/s east.
• k. The average velocity during the next 5 s is displacement/time = -50 m (west) / 5 s = -10 m/s east (or 10 m/s west).
• l. The average velocity for the entire trip is total displacement/total time = -20 m (west) / 15 s = -1.33 m/s east (or 1.33 m/s west).