Final answer:
An empty trailer on a highway is more likely to bounce up and down slowly because there's less weight to absorb road imperfections, compared to a heavily loaded trailer which would ride smoother.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you pass a freight truck with a trailer on a highway, and you notice that its trailer is bouncing up and down slowly, it is more likely that the trailer is nearly empty. A heavily loaded trailer tends to have less bounce because the weight increases the damping effect on the suspension system. Essentially, the mass of a heavy load absorbs the energy from road bumps and imperfections, leading to a smoother ride. Conversely, an empty trailer lacks this mass, and therefore, it can bounce more visibly as there's less weight to absorb the movement caused by an uneven road surface.