# Finding Distance -- Hockey Puck Velocity

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## Homework Statement

An ice hockey puck leaves a hockey stick with a velocity of 45 m/s, how far will it travel in 3.0 seconds?

## Homework Equations

D = v/t or

## \Delta \vec d= \frac 1 2 \vec a \Delta t^2##

with ## \vec a = v_2 / \Delta t##

## The Attempt at a Solution

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D = v/t
= 45 m/s / 3 = 135 meters

or ##0.5 (15 m/s^2) (3)^2## = 67.5 meters

Which one is it, and more importantly... how do I tell the difference on when to use each formula?

Thank you

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TomHart
Since no friction is mentioned, I believe for this problem you should assume there is no friction, which means the velocity is constant. In other words, a = 0.

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Thank you both very much. Very helpful.

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Actually a follow up question to this adds friction. The puck is hit with a force of 15.3 N and the friction slowing it down is 0.75 N.
Same time (3.0 s) same velocity (45 m/s)

So a = f/m then plug that into the second formula mentioned above?

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2022 Award
##\Delta \vec d= \frac 1 2 \vec a \Delta t^2##
with ## a = v_2 / \Delta t##
Those equations are not quite right. It is ##\Delta d= v\Delta t+ \frac 1 2 a \Delta t^2## and ##a =\Delta v/\Delta t##.
You are not told the puck stops in 3 seconds. If you assume it keeps going at v then Δv=0 and a =0, so you end up with the same equation as d=vt.

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