Final answer:
In physics, average speed is calculated by distance over time, and greater average speeds indicate faster movement. Acceleration affects both the final velocity and the overall time and distance outcomes in a race. Cyclist 4 has the greatest average speed among the given cyclists.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Motion, Speed and Velocity
The concept of speed and velocity is central to the subject of physics, especially when discussing motion in one dimension. To calculate the average speed of an object, you divide the distance traveled by the time it takes to travel that distance. When determining which cyclist in a group has the greatest average speed, you perform this calculation for each cyclist and compare the results.
For example, Cyclist 1's average speed is calculated as 95m divided by 27s, which gives approximately 3.52 m/s. Similarly, we calculate the average speeds for Cyclist 2 (87m/22s = approx. 3.95 m/s), Cyclist 3 (106m/26s = approx. 4.08 m/s), and Cyclist 4 (108m/24s = approx. 4.50 m/s). Hence, Cyclist 4 has the greatest average speed.
Analyzing acceleration involves initial velocity and the rate of acceleration over a given time. For instance, when a bicyclist accelerates from 11.5 m/s at a rate of 0.500 m/s² for 7 s, their final velocity can be found by applying the formula final velocity = initial velocity + (acceleration × time). Acceleration affects not just the speed at which a cyclist travels but also the time they save if accelerating towards a finish line, and the distance they finish ahead or behind other competitors.