Question

In the 2016 Olympics in Rio, after the 50 m freestyle competition, a problem with the pool was found. In lane 1 there was a gentle 1.2 cm/s current flowing in the direction that the swimmers were going, while in lane 8 there was a current of the same speed but directed opposite to the swimmers' direction. Suppose a swimmer could swim the 50.0 m in 25.0 s in the absence of any current.

Part A: How would the time it took the swimmer to swim 50.0 m change in lane 1?

Part B: How would the time it took the swimmer to swim 50.0 m change in lane 8?

Answer 1

The time it would take for the swimmer to swim 50.0m would increase in lane 1, where there is a current flowing in the same direction of the swimmers. In lane 8, where there is a current flowing in the opposite direction, the time would decrease.

Step-by-step explanation:

In lane 1, where there is a 1.2 cm/s current flowing in the direction of the swimmers, the time it would take for the swimmer to swim 50.0 m would increase. This is because the current would push the swimmer backwards, making it harder for them to reach the finish line.

In lane 8, where there is a 1.2 cm/s current flowing in the opposite direction of the swimmers, the time it would take for the swimmer to swim 50.0 m would decrease. This is because the current would push the swimmer forward, helping them reach the finish line faster.