Question on graph of Momentum vs Distance

[lionely]

Homework Statement

Well I think the answer is d because if the acceleration is constant then the distance should increase at a steady rate hence the straight line for d.

But my teacher says different his working is shown on the side of the question. He believes the answer is A.

another teacher says it is D . Can someone please help me.

 

[Dick]

Homework Statement

Well I think the answer is d because if the acceleration is constant then the distance should increase at a steady rate hence the straight line for d.

But my teacher says different his working is shown on the side of the question. He believes the answer is A.

another teacher says it is D . Can someone please help me.

Your teacher is right. Read the explanation. If the label on the horizontal axis were 'Time' instead of 'Distance' then D would be right. But it's not.

 

[lionely]

Oh thank you.

 

[HallsofIvy]

You are wrong. If acceleration is constant, then velocity increases at a constant rate (that constant rate is the acceleration). The distance traveled then increases quadratically. That is A.
(Strictly speaking that implies that the distance is a quadratic function of the time: $x= (a/2)t^2$ but the momentum is $p= mv= mat$ so $t= p/ma$ and then $x= (a/2)t^2= (a/2)(p^2/m^2a^2)= (1/2m^2a)p^2$.)

(Too late again! I shouldn't have stopped to check on my dinner!)

 

[M. Chizoba]

i don't have anything to add. i just wanted to know if that was a CAPE question paper?

 

[lionely]

Yes it was

 

[M. Chizoba]

oh, that's cool. i am doing the physics multiple choice exam tomorrow and i saw that question which i couldn't answer. i was very surprised to see the question here so i asked.