Car coasts to a stop: find acceleration, distance, average speed

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SUMMARY

A car initially traveling at 25 m/s coasts to a stop in 12 seconds, resulting in an acceleration of -2.08 m/s², calculated using the formula a = (final velocity - initial velocity) / time. The distance traveled during deceleration can be determined using the formula d = vt + 1/2at², which requires substituting the known values. The average speed during coasting is calculated as the total distance divided by the total time, yielding an average speed of 12.5 m/s.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts such as acceleration, distance, and average speed.
  • Familiarity with the equations of motion: v = x/t and d = vt + 1/2at².
  • Ability to manipulate and solve algebraic equations.
  • Knowledge of units of measurement in physics (meters, seconds).
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  • Study the equations of motion in detail, focusing on their applications in real-world scenarios.
  • Learn how to derive acceleration from velocity and time using the formula a = (v_f - v_i) / t.
  • Explore the concept of average speed and how it differs from instantaneous speed.
  • Practice solving similar physics problems involving motion, acceleration, and distance.
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xxcrn
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Homework posted in wrong forum, so no template
Its my first time ever being in Physics and I need help with this probably really simple problem.

It first says, a car is initially traveling at 25m/s and then coasts to a stop in 12 seconds. What is its acceleration? **I took 25/12 and got 2.08 m/s. Hopefully that part is right?

Then it asks how far did it travel while slowing down? **This I didn't even know how to start.

The third part to this question is what was the average speed of the car when it was coasting. And I think for this you take the answer from the question above and divide it by 12.

Any help would be great!
 
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xxcrn said:
Its my first time ever being in Physics and I need help with this probably really simple problem.

It first says, a car is initially traveling at 25m/s and then coasts to a stop in 12 seconds. What is its acceleration? **I took 25/12 and got 2.08 m/s. Hopefully that part is right?

Then it asks how far did it travel while slowing down? **This I didn't even know how to start.

The third part to this question is what was the average speed of the car when it was coasting. And I think for this you take the answer from the question above and divide it by 12.

Any help would be great!
Firstly, you should use the homework section on PF here in which automatically a template will be inserted that guides you through the questions that always will have to follow. It's called relevant equations and is necessary to understand where to start with explanations. So:
What formulas do you have at hand, which deal with distance, velocity, acceleration and time?
Secondly, where did you get stuck? Have you made any efforts, beside dividing ##25## by ##12##?

Which leads me to my next question: What is the result of ##25 \frac{m}{s}## divided by ##12s##?
How is an average velocity / speed defined?
 
fresh_42 said:
Firstly, you should use the homework section on PF here in which automatically a template will be inserted that guides you through the questions that always will have to follow. It's called relevant equations and is necessary to understand where to start with explanations. So:
What formulas do you have at hand, which deal with distance, velocity, acceleration and time?
Secondly, where did you get stuck? Have you made any efforts, beside dividing ##25## by ##12##?

Which leads me to my next question: What is the result of ##25 \frac{m}{s}## divided by ##12s##?
How is an average velocity / speed defined?
Sorry its my first time one here. I have v=x/t, d=vt+ 1/2at(2)
fresh_42 said:
Firstly, you should use the homework section on PF here in which automatically a template will be inserted that guides you through the questions that always will have to follow. It's called relevant equations and is necessary to understand where to start with explanations. So:
What formulas do you have at hand, which deal with distance, velocity, acceleration and time?
Secondly, where did you get stuck? Have you made any efforts, beside dividing ##25## by ##12##?

Which leads me to my next question: What is the result of ##25 \frac{m}{s}## divided by ##12s##?
How is an average velocity / speed defined?
I think I figured it out now, thanks anyway!
 

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