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jenc305
Oct14-04, 10:52 PM
Please help me with this question. I understand how to calculate the velocity from the given conditions but I don't know how to figure out the acceleration or the angle. Thanks!

A cart is released from rest at the top of a perfectly frictionless air track. After an elapsed time delta t = 2.0s, the cart has traveled delta x = 32.0 cm down the track. What is the cart's acceleration? What is the angle of theta of this track?

Tide
Oct14-04, 11:00 PM
The acceleration of the cart is the component of its weight parallel to the track divided by its mass so a = g \cos \theta. The distance it travels is

d = \frac {1}{2} a t^2

and you have enough information to find the acceleration and the angle.

jenc305
Oct15-04, 12:09 AM
I've figured out the problem with your help. Thank you!!