AP Calculus AB 4.2 Straight Line Motion Connecting Position Velocity and Acceleration Questions

Practice AP Calculus Unit 4.2 questions on analyzing rectilinear motion using position, velocity, acceleration, direction, speed, and units.

Syllabus
Effective Fall 2025
Course
AP Calculus AB

Question 1

[Maximum number: 4]

Two particles, H and J, are moving along the x-axis. For 0t50 \leq t \leq 5, the position of particle H at time t is given by xH(t)=et24tx_{H}(t)=e^{t^{2}-4 t} and the velocity of particle J at time t is given by vJ(t)=2t(t21)3v_{J}(t)=2 t\left(t^{2}-1\right)^{3}.

Question (a)

(a)

During what open intervals of time t, for 0<t<5, are particles H and J moving in opposite directions? Give a reason for your answer.

[ 3 ]

Question (b)

(b)

It can be shown that vJ(2)>0v_{J}{ }^{\prime}(2)>0. Is the speed of particle J increasing, decreasing, or neither at time t=2 ? Give a reason for your answer.

[ 1 ]
All question bank results loaded