Final answer:
The average speed of a 400-m relay may be less than that of a 100-m sprint because the runners in a relay must pass a baton to the next runner, which can slow them down. The correct answer to the student's question is c) Acceleration from a stationary position impacts the average speed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The average speed of a 400-m relay may be less than that of a 100-m sprint because the runners in a relay must pass a baton to the next runner, which can slow them down. The correct answer to the student's question is c) Acceleration from a stationary position impacts the average speed. In a 100-m dash, sprinters accelerate from a stationary position to their maximum speed and maintain it for the short duration of the race, resulting in a high average speed. In contrast, in a 400-m relay, each runner must accelerate to reach their top speed; however, the time taken to pass the baton and the subsequent acceleration needed for the next runner means their average speed over the entire distance may be less than an individual's average speed in a 100-m race. Additionally, statistics such as 40 percent of runners ran at speeds of 7.5 miles per hour or less, and an Olympic-quality sprinter running 100 m in approximately 10 seconds, help us conclude that sprints are shorter and allow for a more consistent speed compared to the variability in relays with baton passing.