Final answer:
Car A is traveling faster at the checkpoint because it has to accelerate to a speed greater than the constant speed of Car B to reach the checkpoint at the same time. The equation V = KV0 is consistent with the fact that Car A's final speed is proportional to Car B's constant speed, supporting Car A's faster velocity at the checkpoint.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question revolves around comparing the speeds of two cars, A and B, on a track where friction is negligible. Car A starts from rest with a positive, constant acceleration, while Car B travels at a constant speed. They both reach a checkpoint at the same time.
(a) Car A is traveling faster at the checkpoint because, in order to catch up with Car B, which had a head start at a constant speed, Car A must accelerate to a speed greater than the constant speed of Car B by the time they reach the checkpoint.
(b) The equation V = KV0, where K is a constant and V0 is the initial velocity of Car B, suggests that the final velocity of Car A (V) is directly proportional to the constant speed of Car B (V0). This equation is consistent with the reasoning that Car A must be going faster than Car B at the checkpoint to make up for its initial rest state.
(c) A graph of velocity vs. distance for both cars would show Car A's velocity increasing over time, eventually surpassing Car B's constant velocity.