Question

Which of these physical settings makes sense for an object moving along the x-axis? Its position at any time is given by x(t) = 3cos(π t) + 2
a. A skydiver falling from a plane, before she opens her parachute.
b. The shadow cast by a rock that's stuck on the edge of a spinning wheel.
c. A car driving from San Diego to Los Angeles.
d. An ant walking at a steady pace from the tip of a propeller toward the hub.
e. None of these settings.

Answer 1

Answer:

option b is correct.

Explanation:

Since the position as a function of time is given by

$x(t)=3cos(\pi t)+2$ which is a periodic function thus the motion of the particle repeats after a time of 2 seconds thus among the given options only option b is case of repetitive motion thus option b is most appropriate since the spinning wheel repeates it's motion.