A race car moving at 20 m/s along a straight path accelerates at a rate of 6 m/s squared. How long will it take for the car to reach a speed of 26 m/s

Question

A race car moving at 20 m/s along a straight path accelerates at a rate of 6 m/s squared. How long will it take for the car to reach a speed of 26 m/s

Answer 1

Hello Joseph!

 

In solving this problem, you want to apply the definition of acceleration. Acceleration is the change in velocity divided by the change in time.

 

We can write this mathematically as:

v_f = v_o + a*t

 

Now we can plug in our values:

26 = 20 + 6t   (subtract 20 from both sides)

6 = 6t             (divide both sides by 6)

1 = t

 

This calculation gives that t = 1 s.

 

Good luck!

Lindsey