The discussion focuses on calculating the distance from a starting point to the first electric post for a car accelerating uniformly. The car travels between three posts spaced 360 meters apart, taking 10 seconds from the first to the second post and 6 seconds from the second to the third. The equations derived from the motion include $d = \frac{1}{2}at^2$, $d + 360 = \frac{1}{2}a(t + 10)^2$, and $d + 720 = \frac{1}{2}a(t + 16)^2$. Solving this system of equations yields the distance $d$ from the starting point to the first post.
PREREQUISITESStudents of physics, automotive engineers, and anyone interested in the principles of motion and acceleration in vehicles.
Thank youskeeter said:let $d$ be the distance from the starting point to the first post, $t$ be the time it takes to reach the first post from rest, and $a$ be the magnitude of the uniform acceleration.
$d = \dfrac{1}{2}at^2$
$d+360 = \dfrac{1}{2}a(t+10)^2$
$d+720 = \dfrac{1}{2}a(t+16)^2$
solve the system for $d$