Consider the motion of the car before brakes are applied:
v₀ = maximum initial velocity of the car before the brakes are applied
t = reaction time = 0.50 s
x₀ = distance traveled by the car before brakes are applied
since car moves at constant speed before brakes are applied
Using the equation
x₀ = v₀ t
x₀ = v₀ (0.50)
Consider the motion after brakes are applied :
v₀ = initial velocity of the car before the brakes are applied
a = acceleration = - 10 m/s²
v = final velocity of the car after it comes to stop = 0 m/s
x = stopping distance = initial distance - distance traveled before applying the brakes = 38 - x₀ = 38 - v₀ (0.50)
Using the equation
v² = v²₀ + 2 a x
inserting the values
0² = v²₀ + 2 (- 10) (38 - v₀ (0.50))
v²₀ = 20 (38 - v₀ (0.50))
v₀ = 23 m/s
