Question

A bug is moving along a meter stick in the negative direction at a constant speed of 0.85cm/s. After 42 seconds have passed the bug is located at 27.0 cm. What was the bug’s starting position.

Answer 1

Given that,

bug speed, v= 0.85 m/s

time, t =42 s

Final position of bug on meter stick was 27 cm

Starting position of bug on meter stick = ?

Since we know that,

s = vt

s= 0.85*42 = 35.7 cm

this is the distance covered by bug in the given time and velocity.

since the bug is moving in negative direction, starting point will be:

27.0 cm+ 35.7 cm = 62.7 cm

The bugs starting position on meter stick was 62.7 cm.