What is the X-component of its acceleration?

Question

A body moving with uniform acceleration has a velocity of 17cm/s when its X coordinate is 4.62cm, its X coordinate 1.32s later is -4.38cm. Answer in units of cm/s^2.

Answer 1

Start by pulling out the information.

 

V₀ = 17 m/s

X_{0 =} 4.62

X_f = -4.38

t = 1.32 s

a = ?

 

This one is going to be very similar to the deer in the headlights question, only with fewer steps. Same basic formula for constant acceleration. Solve for a and have fun!

 

X_f= (1/2)*a*t² + V₀ * t + X₀

 

 

Answer 2

Acceleration and velocity are headed in the same direction.  If they were not, then we would have to use some basic trigonometry and Pythagorean theorem.  But we don't. have to do all of that.

 

The distance is 4.62 when velocity is 17.  So we need to find the velocity when the distance is -4.38.   We can find this out by using proportions.

 

4.62 / -4.38 = 17 / q

 

where q is the other velocity.  Solve for q.

 

Once you solve for q, find the difference between the velocities and divide the result by 1.32