Acceleration of a Truck Problem

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics homework problem involving the motion of a truck that accelerates, travels at a constant speed, and then decelerates to a stop. Participants are exploring the calculations related to the total time of motion and the average velocity of the truck.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the time of acceleration as 10 seconds but questions this conclusion based on the problem's description of the truck's motion.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the total time in motion should include the time spent accelerating, coasting at constant speed for 20 seconds, and decelerating for 5 seconds.
  • A participant asks whether the information about the truck traveling at constant speed and the deceleration period affects the calculations and how it should be incorporated.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to agree on the total time the truck is in motion, with some suggesting it is only 10 seconds while others argue it should include additional time for coasting and deceleration. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the correct calculation of total motion time and average velocity.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the impact of different phases of motion on the overall calculations, indicating potential missing assumptions or dependencies on definitions related to average velocity and total time.

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Homework Statement


A truck on a straight road starts from rest, accelerating at 2.00m/s^2 until it reaches a speed of 20.0m/s. Then the truck travels for 20.s at constant speed until the brakes are applied, stopping the truck in a uniform manner in an additional 5.00s.
a) How long is the truck in motion?
b) What is the average velocity of the truck for the motion described?

Homework Equations


Constant acceleration equations
average speed formula

The Attempt at a Solution


vfinal=20
vinitial=0
t=?
a=2.00

vfinal=vinitial + at
20=2t
t=10s

vaverage=[tex]\frac{xfinal=xinitial}{tfinal-tinitial}[/tex]
=[tex]\frac{100}{10}[/tex]
=10m/s

Now this is incorrect but can someone tell me the correct way of doing this problem?
 
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Paymemoney said:

Homework Statement


A truck on a straight road starts from rest, accelerating at 2.00m/s^2 until it reaches a speed of 20.0m/s. Then the truck travels for 20.s at constant speed until the brakes are applied, stopping the truck in a uniform manner in an additional 5.00s.
a) How long is the truck in motion?
b) What is the average velocity of the truck for the motion described?

Homework Equations


Constant acceleration equations
average speed formula

The Attempt at a Solution


vfinal=20
vinitial=0
t=?
a=2.00

vfinal=vinitial + at
20=2t
t=10s

vaverage=[tex]\frac{xfinal=xinitial}{tfinal-tinitial}[/tex]
=[tex]\frac{100}{10}[/tex]
=10m/s

Now this is incorrect but can someone tell me the correct way of doing this problem?

Are you saying that the truck was in motion for only 10 sec.? How can that be, since the problem states that the truck accelerates for a while, coasts along at a constant speed for 20 seconds, and then brakes to a stop, taking another 5 sec.
 
can someone tell me if the information given in the following statement has any impact on the calculations and if so how would i use it.
Then the truck travels for 20.s at constant speed until the brakes are applied, stopping the truck in a uniform manner in an additional 5.00s.
 
Paymemoney said:
a) How long is the truck in motion?
b) What is the average velocity of the truck for the motion described?
The total time the truck is in motion is the time it is accelerating plus the time it is moving at a constant speed plus the time it is decelerating to a stop.

The average velocity = (total distance)/(total time)
 

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