Question

The 1992 world speed record for a bicycle (human-powered vehicle) was set by Chris Huber. His time through the measured 200 m stretch was a sizzling 6.509 s, at which he commented,"Cogito ergo zoom!" (I think, therefore I go fast!). a.) What was Chris Huber’s speed in meters per second(m/s)? b) In 2001, Sam Whittingham beat Huber’s record by 19.0 km/h. What was Whittingham’s time through the 200 m? (answer hours)

Answer 1

Answer:

a) 30.726m/s and b) 5.5549s

Step-by-step explanation:

a.) What was Chris Huber’s speed in meters per second(m/s)?

Given the distance and time, the formula to obtain the speed is

$v=\frac{d}{t}$.

Applying this to our problem we have that

$v=\frac{200m}{6.509s}= 30.726m/s$.

So, Chris Huber’s speed in meters per second(m/s) was 30.726m/s.

b) What was Whittingham’s time through the 200 m?

In a) we stated that $v=\frac{d}{t}$. This formula implies that

1. $t=\frac{d}{v}$.

First, observer that $19\frac{km}{h} =19,000\frac{m}{h}=\frac{19,000}{3,600}m/s= 5.2777m/s$.

Then, Sam Whittingham speed was equal to Chris Huber’s speed plus 5.2777 m/s. So, $v=30.726\frac{m}{s} +5.2777\frac{m}{s}= 36.003 m/s.$

Then, applying 1) we have that

$t=\frac{200m}{36.003m/s}=5.5549s.$

So, Sam Whittingham’s time through the 200 m was 5.5549s.