Question

You are driving on the highway and you come to a steep downhill section. As you roll down the hill, you take your foot off the gas pedal. You can ignore friction, but you can't ignore air resistance. What will happen to the speed of the car as it rolls down the hill?

1) The speed of the car will increase
2) The speed of the car will decrease
3) The speed of the car will remain constant
4) The speed of the car will depend on the weight of the car

Answer 1

The speed of the car will increase as it rolls down the hill.

Step-by-step explanation:

When you roll down a steep hill and take your foot off the gas pedal, the speed of the car will increase. This is because gravity will pull the car downhill, and since there is no friction to oppose the motion, the car will accelerate. However, air resistance will cause the speed to increase at a decreasing rate, eventually reaching a constant velocity. So, the correct answer is 1) The speed of the car will increase.