Distance traveled when accelerateing

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The discussion focuses on calculating the distance traveled by a vehicle accelerating from rest at 12.5 m/s² over a distance of 1800 meters in 12 seconds. The user seeks clarification on using basic kinematics equations, particularly x = x₀ + v₀t + 1/2 at², to determine the distance covered in specific time intervals. They successfully calculate the distance traveled in the first second as 6.25 meters but struggle with the distance in the 12th second, initially misinterpreting the results. After further calculations, they conclude that the distance traveled during the 12th second is 287.5 meters. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding kinematic equations for solving motion problems.
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Hey, my question is what would be the equation for figureing out distance traveled per second when accelerating from 0 at something like 12m/s2
 
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What else do you know? Try basic kinematics equations such as:
<br /> x=x_0+v_0t+\frac{at^2}{2}<br />
<br /> v_f^2=v_0^2+2a{\Delta}x<br />
 
acceleration 12.5m/s2 across 1800m in 12 seconds. final velocity of 150m/s

Thanks for the reply jhae, but i can't read the equations you posted.. its just a black box. maybe because of my browser?
 
X = Xo + Vot + 1/2 at^2

Vf^2 = Vo^2 + 2a(Xf-Xo)
 
Sorry for being a nuisance, but I am really new to all this, and I can't figure out how to use those equations.
Ill lay out what I've done so far, its all been very simple up until this last part.

Vehicle moving with uniform acceleration travels a distance of 1800m in 12 seconds, find the acceleration and distance traveled during the first and twelfth seconds.

\Deltav=\Deltad/\Deltat =150m/s
a=\Deltav/\Deltat=12.5m/s^2

Now, I am lost. My trouble is I am not sure how to use your equations.. I am not looking for the answer but maybe just a little explanation of how to use those two equations? the first one especialy
 
Well, you need to find the distance traveled during the first second. So we need an equation that has the variables position acceleration and time which would be this...
X = Xo + Vot + 1/2 at^2
X=final position=what we want to find
Xo = initial position = 0
Vo=initial velocity=o
t=time=1
a=acceleration=12.5
So if we plug in everything we get x=6.25
Now we need to find the distance traveled in the 12th second. We can easily find that by subtracting how far the vehicle travels in 11s from how far it travels in 12s. Use the eq above.
 
X=Xo+Vot+1/2at^2
=0+0x12+1/2(12.5x12^2)
=1/2 1800
=900

So this is saying that its postion in the 12th second is 900m? In the 12th second it should be 1800 meters, shouldn't it? Which is what we had before we divided. :confused: I am definatly doing something wrong lol
 
I also tried figuring out the velocity and position for each second, then plugging them in under Xo and Vo but it didn't work, the number was too high too fast
 
Is the car stationary when it starts accelerating?
 
  • #10
yes.
 
  • #11
So, I am pretty sure in order to figure out its position during each second its as simple as

x=at^2

This gives me 1800m in the 12th second.
I subtract second 12(1800m) from second 11(1512.5) and get 287.5m as the distance traveled in the 12th second.
 
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