1. How fast is the blue car going 1.8 seconds after it starts?
Recall this kinematic equation:
Vf = Vi + aΔt
Vf is the final velocity.
Vi is the initial velocity.
a is the acceleration.
Δt is the amount of elapsed time.
Given values:
Vi = 0 m/s (the car starts at rest)
a = 3.7 m/s² (this is the acceleration between t = 0s and t = 4.4s)
Δt = 1.8 s
Substitute the terms in the equation with the given values and solve for Vf:
Vf = 0 + 3.7×1.8
<h3>Vf = 6.66 m/s</h3><h3 />
2. How fast is the blue car going 10.0 seconds after it starts?
The car stops accelerating after t = 4.4s and continues at a constant velocity for the next 8.3 seconds. This means the car is traveling at a constant velocity between t = 4.4s and t = 12.7s. At t = 10s the car is still traveling at this constant velocity.
We must use the kinematic equation from the previous question to solve for this velocity. Use the same values except Δt = 4.4s which is the entire time interval during which the car is accelerating:
Vf = 0 + 3.7×4.4
Vf = 16.28 m/s
<h3>The constant velocity at which the car is traveling at t = 10s is 16.28 m/s</h3>
3. How far does the blue car travel before its brakes are applied to slow down?
We must break down the car's path into two parts: When it is traveling under constant acceleration and when it is traveling at constant velocity.
Traveling under constant acceleration:
Recall this kinematic equation:
d = 
×Δt
d is the distance traveled.
Vi is the initial velocity.
Vf is the final velocity.
Δt is the amount of elapsed time.
Given values:
Vi = 0 m/s (the car starts at rest).
Vf = 16.28 m/s (determined from question 2).
Δt = 4.4 s
Substitute the terms in the equation with the given values and solve for d:
d = 
×4.4
d = 35.8 m
Traveling at constant velocity:
Recall the relationship between velocity and distance:
d = vΔt
d is the distance traveled.
v is the velocity.
Δt is the amount of elapsed time.
Given values:
v = 16.28 m/s (the constant velocity from question 2).
Δt = 8.3 s (the time interval during which the car travels at constant velocity)
Substitute the terms in the equation with the given values:
d = 16.28×8.3
d = 135.1 m
Add up the distances traveled.
d = 35.8 + 135.1
<h3>d = 170.9 m</h3>
4. What is the acceleration of the blue car once the brakes are applied?
Recall this kinematic equation:
Vf²=Vi²+2ad
Vf is the final velocity.
Vi is the initial velocity.
a is the acceleration
d is the distance traveled.
Given values:
Vi = 16.28 m/s
Vf = 0 m/s
d = 216 m - 170.9 m = 45.1 m (subtracting the distance already traveled from the total path length)
Substitute the terms in the equation with the given values and solve for a:
0² = 16.28²+2a×45.1
<h3>a = -2.94 m/s²</h3>
5. What is the total time the blue car is moving?
We already know the time during which the car is traveling under constant acceleration and traveling at constant velocity. We now need to solve for the amount of time during which the car is decelerating.
Recall again:
d = ×Δt
Given values:
d = 45.1 m
Vi = 16.28 m/s (the velocity the car was traveling at before hitting the brakes).
Vf = 0 m/s (the car slows to a stop).
Substitute the terms in the equation with the given values and solve for Δt:
45.1 = 
×Δt
Δt = 5.54s
Add up the times to get the total travel time:
t = 4.4 + 8.3 + 5.54 =
<h3>t = 18.24s</h3>
6. What is the acceleration of the yellow car?
Recall this kinematic equation:
d = ViΔt + 0.5aΔt²
d is the distance traveled.
Vi is the initial velocity.
a is the acceleration.
Δt is the amount of elapsed time.
Given values:
d = 216 m (both cars meet at 216m)
Vi = 0 m/s (the car starts at rest)
Δt = 18.24 s (take the same amount of time to reach 216m)
Substitute the terms in the equation with the given values and solve for a:
216 = 0×18.24 + 0.5a×18.24²
<h3>a = 1.3 m/s²</h3>
