Acceleration and velocity when time and distance are known

In summary, a physics student is driving a car on a long, straight highway in Saskatchewan with a constant acceleration of 4.50 m/s² until reaching a top speed. The total time of the joy ride is 1:36 minutes and the distance covered is 3.84 km. Using derived formulas, it can be determined that during the acceleration phase, the time elapsed is 0.80 minutes and the distance covered is 2.40 km. The top speed reached by the car is 100 m/s.
  • #1
jumbo
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A physics student is taking a car for a joy ride on a long, empty and perfectly
straight Saskatchewan highway. At the beginning of the joy ride the student has the
car accelerate from rest to some top speed with a (constant) acceleration of 4:50 m=s2
and then maintains that top speed to the end of the ride. The total time taken from
the start of the joy ride to its end is 1:36 minutes and the total distance covered is
3:84 km.
(a) What was the time elapsed during the acceleration phase of the car's motion?
(b) What distance did the car cover during the acceleration phase of its motion?
(c) What was the top speed reached by the car?

Please help. tell me which dervived formula you used!
 
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  • #2
Welcome to Physics Forums !

Firstly, this should be moved to homework help section, because it seems like a hometask problem.
Secondly, you should post your ideas and approach to the solution of the problem, because its a lot better if you can solve it yourself with a little bit of help from us rather than we giving you the answer right away.

It actually took me a tad to realize how to solve this problem. But once you put the pieces together, the problem solves beautifully. Thats why I would like you to try yourself at first.
 

1. What is acceleration?

Acceleration is the rate at which an object's velocity changes over time. It is measured in meters per second squared (m/s²).

2. How is acceleration related to velocity?

Acceleration and velocity are closely related. Acceleration is the change in velocity divided by the change in time. This means that an object's acceleration is directly influenced by its velocity.

3. What is the difference between acceleration and velocity?

Velocity is a vector quantity that describes an object's speed and direction, while acceleration is the rate of change of an object's velocity. In other words, velocity tells us how fast an object is moving and in what direction, while acceleration tells us how quickly that object's velocity is changing.

4. How are acceleration and velocity calculated when time and distance are known?

If time and distance are known, acceleration can be calculated using the formula a = (vf - vi)/t, where vf is the final velocity, vi is the initial velocity, and t is the time interval. Velocity can be calculated using the formula v = d/t, where d is the distance and t is the time interval.

5. How can acceleration and velocity affect an object's motion?

Acceleration and velocity can greatly impact an object's motion. For example, if an object has a constant acceleration, its velocity will change by the same amount every second. If an object has a constant velocity, it will continue to move at the same speed and in the same direction. Changes in acceleration and velocity can cause an object to speed up, slow down, or change direction.

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