MCAT Physics Question 5: Answer and Explanation
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Question: 5
5. At a place where 
an object is thrown vertically downward with a speed of 
while a different object is thrown vertically upward with a speed of 
Which object undergoes a greater change in speed in a time of 2 s?
- A. The first object has a greater change in speed.
- B. The second object has a greater change in speed.
- C. Both objects undergo the same change in speed.
- D. It cannot be determined from the information given.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Each object experiences an acceleration of 
which means that each object's velocity changes by 
each second. Therefore, both objects experience the same change in velocity over the 2-second period of 
However, this question asks for the change in speed. The first object starts with a velocity of 
and ends with a velocity of 
This represents a change in speed of 
The second object starts with a velocity of 
and ends with a velocity of 
This represents a change in speed of 
Therefore, the second object has a much smaller change in speed than the first. This is because the force acting on the object was the opposite direction from the object's motion in the initial conditions.