Distance Traveled & Average Speed

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the total distance traveled and the average speed of a driver who changes speed during a trip. The subject area pertains to kinematics in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss breaking the problem into two parts based on the driver's speed changes. There are attempts to apply the distance formula and questions about how to calculate total distance and average speed.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different methods to approach the problem, with some suggesting the need to calculate distances for each speed segment before finding the average speed. There is confusion regarding the calculations and interpretations of the average speed.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the physics concepts involved, indicating a potential gap in foundational knowledge. There is also mention of a need for review before class.

dgsigala
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Homework Statement



A driver maintains a steady speed of 30.0 m/s for 55 min and then slows to 10 m/s for the next 5 mins. Determine the the total distance traveled and the average speed for the trip.


Homework Equations



a = v−v0/t



The Attempt at a Solution



a = 30 - 10 / 60 = .333

Please help me, haven't taken physics in a long time. Review for class.
 
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distance traveled = (speed of travel)*(time traveled)

if you change speeds, you can break the problem into two parts, so you'd do the above equation for each part. Can you guess how you'd find the total distance traveled from the two parts?
 
find the average: add them up and divide by 2?
 
no, not quite. Start with the total distance first.
 
40 m/s? Sorry. I'm really confused.
 
What do you get for the distance traveled in each part?
 

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