View Full Version : Physics problem solver
Mariam18
Aug 31, 2012, 10:32 AM
A car starts from rest and moves with constant acceleration during the 5th second of its motion,it covers a distance of 36 meters. What is the acceleration
John Bold
Aug 31, 2012, 04:50 PM
I think a 30 years old engineer can help you with a simple question like this...
d = 36 m
t = 5s
vi = 0 m/s
Find:
a =?
d = vi*t + 0.5*a*t2
36 m = (0 m/s)*(5s)+ 0.5*(a)*(5s)2
36 m = (12.5 s2)*a
a = (36 m)/(12.5 s2)
a = 36/12.5
a= 2.88
so the answer is 2.88
ebaines
Sep 2, 2012, 01:20 PM
I think a 30 years old engineer can help you with a simple question like this....
This answer is incorrect - what you've calculated is the acceleration for an object to travel 36 meters in 5 seconds, but that's not the question.
To the OP: the distance covered in 't' seconds from a standing start is d=1/2at^2. The distance covered in the 5th second is the diffence between the distance covered for t=5 seconds and for t=4 seconds, and that value is 36 meters. Plug and chug, and solve for 'a.'