How Do You Calculate Total Distance with Different Speeds?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating total distance traveled by an object moving at different speeds over specified time intervals. The problem involves uniform motion and raises questions about the implications of changing speeds without information on deceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of distance using the formula distance = velocity × time for each segment of motion. Some question the assumptions about deceleration between the two speeds and whether it affects the total distance.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some have offered guidance on using the distance formula, while others highlight potential flaws in the problem's setup regarding deceleration.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted lack of information regarding the deceleration phase, which some participants feel is critical to accurately solving the problem. The original poster expresses uncertainty about their physics skills and seeks assistance.

SpeedeRi2
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Im not really good at physics :blushing: , so if u could solve the problem or help me through it! Any help will be appreciated!



1.) An object travels in a straight line at a uniform velocity of 10 m/s for 3 seconds and then travels for 2 seconds at a constant speed of 5 meters per second in the same direction. Calculate the total distance traveled!
 
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Tell your teacher that the problem is flawed. If the object was initially traveling at 10m/s, then it must have decelerated in order to reach 5 m/s. Yet, no information was provided for the time or magnitude of the deceleration.
 
remember that distance travled is equal to the velocity times the time (s=v*t). Do this for both velocities and add them together.
 
Triss said:
remember that distance travled is equal to the velocity times the time (s=v*t). Do this for both velocities and add them together.

If your teacher is the kind of teacher with his/her head in equation-land all the time with no time for reality, you could do this.
 
recon said:
If your teacher is the kind of teacher with his/her head in equation-land all the time with no time for reality, you could do this.
I agree; the very least would have been to insert a sentence like:
"The deceleration phase is so short that we neglect any distance traveled in that period"
 

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