Two engineering students decide to investigate the motion of automated logistics shuttles along a straight monorail track in a warehouse.
Describe how the students will take the measurements they need to be able to calculate the mean speed of a shuttle along a section of the track.
The students also investigate the motion of two shuttles, Alpha and Beta. The velocity–time graph below shows their results. Shuttle Alpha reaches its top speed of 6.0 m/s6.0\text{ m/s}6.0 m/s at t=8 st = 8\text{ s}t=8 s, and Shuttle Beta reaches its top speed of 6.0 m/s6.0\text{ m/s}6.0 m/s at t=15 st = 15\text{ s}t=15 s.
Which shuttle, Alpha or Beta, has the greater acceleration? Explain your answer.
Use the graph to calculate the acceleration of shuttle Beta.
Both shuttles have the same mass. Suggest why it takes different amounts of time for them to reach their top speed of 6.0 m/s6.0\text{ m/s}6.0 m/s.