How do you know if an object has changed position? a. It is not visible anymore. b. It looks bigger. c. It is farther or closer from a reference point. d. It is on top of a reference point.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: c. It is farther or closer from a reference point.
Explanation (300 words):
To determine whether an object has changed its position, we must understand the concept of motion in physics. Motion is defined as a change in position of an object over time relative to a reference point. A reference point is a stationary object or place used to compare and observe movement.
For example, imagine you place a toy car near a tree. If later the car is now next to a bench instead of the tree, you can say the car has moved. Why? Because its position relative to the reference point (the tree) has changed.
The correct answer is c. It is farther or closer from a reference point, because this directly addresses how motion is measured. The distance between the object and the reference point changes, indicating a change in position.
Let’s review the incorrect choices:
- a. It is not visible anymore: An object may become invisible for various reasons (e.g., someone blocks your view, lighting changes), but that doesn’t necessarily mean it has moved.
- b. It looks bigger: If an object looks bigger, it may be closer, but this perception can also change due to zoom or lens effects. This is not a reliable way to determine motion.
- d. It is on top of a reference point: Being “on top” of a reference point means the object is located at the reference, but unless we compare it to a previous position, we can’t say it has moved.
In summary, we determine an object’s movement by checking if its distance from a fixed point (the reference) has changed. That’s why option c is the most scientifically accurate choice.