Calculating the time of stopping distance

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the deceleration of a car that brakes from a velocity of 20 m/s to a standstill over a distance of 40 meters, while a child in a car seat is also considered. The initial confusion stems from incorrectly thinking that deceleration could be calculated using braking distance divided by mass, which is not correct. Participants suggest using the kinematic equation vf^2 = vo^2 + 2as for deceleration and recommend applying Newton's second law to find the force on the child. The original poster eventually finds clarity on both the kinematic equations and the application of Newton's laws. Overall, the discussion highlights the importance of understanding the correct physics formulas for solving real-world problems.
chaz699
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well I'm struggling with a level physics and need some help with a new topic area we're studying

the problem is

a moving car t velocity of 20 ms(-1) brakes to a standstill in a distance of 40m, a child of mass 15kg is sitting in a forward facing child car seat fitted to the back-seat of the car

calculate (1) the deceleration (2) the force on the child


i always thought to calculate the deceleration is braking distance/ mass but the only mass given is that of the child and surely the car will way more than that, hence why i don't understand what formula to use, is it using suvat? if so i can't find a suvat formula with only s U and v, its driving me mad ( no pun intended)



for the second part of the question I haven't been told any information on how to work it out but is the formula t= 2s/U + v (t is time, s is distance/displacement, U is initial velocity and v is final velocity
 
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chaz699 said:
well I'm struggling with a level physics and need some help with a new topic area we're studying

the problem is

a moving car t velocity of 20 ms(-1) brakes to a standstill in a distance of 40m, a child of mass 15kg is sitting in a forward facing child car seat fitted to the back-seat of the car

calculate (1) the deceleration (2) the force on the child


i always thought to calculate the deceleration is braking distance/ mass but the only mass given is that of the child and surely the car will way more than that, hence why i don't understand what formula to use, is it using suvat? if so i can't find a suvat formula with only s U and v, its driving me mad ( no pun intended)
I don't know why you were thinking that distance/mass equals acceleration. Erase that thought. What about the kinematic equation vf^2 = vo^2 + 2as? You didn't do enough searching on your suavat's.
for the second part of the question I haven't been told any information on how to work it out but is the formula t= 2s/U + v (t is time, s is distance/displacement, U is initial velocity and v is final velocity
How about using Newton's 2nd law?
 
i think i have it now

thanks (i found out Newtons second law about 2 minutes before u posted, and the suvat question i just found,) thanks for providing me with support so i avoidied doubting myself
 
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