[SOLVED] finding distance based off acceleration

JDR 007

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

A car slows down uniformly from a speed of 26.0 m/s to rest in 4.50 s. How far did it travel in that time?

2. Relevant equations
Acceleration (you all know it)


3. The attempt at a solution
I am totally stuck all I can do is find acceleration ...-5.78m/s^2

learningphysics

What kinematics formulas do you know for uniform acceleration? displacement formulas...

Kurdt

If you've found the acceleration, is there any other equation you know where you can work out the distance?

http://www.physicsforums.com/showpos...63&postcount=2

JDR 007

[tex]x = x_0 + v_0 t + (1/2) a t^2[/tex] Should I try using this?

learningphysics

you can do that since you've calculated acceleration.

you can also use [tex]d = \frac{(v1 + v2)}{2}*t[/tex]

which also gives you the answer.

JDR 007

45.495m is that right?

learningphysics

No. how did you get that?

JDR 007

I accidentally pluged accel. in for velocity

JDR 007

so.. 26*4.5-1/2(-5.78) what am I missing

JDR 007

58.5?....v1 26m/s v2 0m/s t=4.5

Kurdt

You should add on the acceleraton term and multiply it by the time squared.

Kurdt

That is correct.

JDR 007

I totally was making that harder than it was, I would like to thank you for your help