Chapter 2, Problem 6PQ

In the traditional Hansel and Gretel fable, the children drop crumbs of bread on the ground to mark their path through the woods. Unfortunately, the crumbs are eaten by birds, and the children cannot find their way home. In this modern-day problem, the children use a device that releases a drop of food dye once per minute. As long as it does not rain, they can find their way home. As an extra bonus, they make a motion diagram as shown in Figure P2.6.

1. a. Describe the motion of the children in words.
2. b. Using the coordinate system in Figure P2.6, make a position-versus-time graph. Note any ambiguities you encounter.
3. c. Is your position-versus-time graph consistent with your description in part (a)? Explain.