Fun Car Physics Problem. I swear it's wicked fun

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the work required for a car to accelerate from an initial speed to a final speed over a specified time interval. The subject area pertains to physics concepts related to work, energy, and motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand how to calculate the work needed for acceleration, expressing uncertainty about the starting point. Some participants suggest using formulas related to work and energy, while others question the relevance of the time interval in the context of calculating work.

Discussion Status

The discussion has progressed with participants providing guidance on relevant formulas and clarifying the relationship between work and energy. There is acknowledgment of the original poster's realization regarding the time factor's relevance to a subsequent question about power.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the time interval provided may not be necessary for the work calculation, as the focus is on energy change rather than power. The original poster indicates that the time will be relevant for a later calculation regarding power.

Iamaskier721
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You are traveling in your 2000 kg car at 9.2 m/s and wish to accelerate to 17.5 m/s in 3.08 seconds, how much work, to the nearest joule, is required?

Okay so i don't even know hwo t ostart this problem. I know I need to find the
initial amount of work being done by the car and then subtract it from the end amount of work. Any help?
 
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Give the formula for work and the formula for energy and it should be obvious.
 
Well the formula for work is obviously Force times Displacement and the formula for energy is 1/2 mass times the velocity squared. Do I just find the difference in their enery?
 
Yes, the 3.08 seconds is unnecessary because we are interested in work and not power. The simplest formula for work is, W = \Delta E, i.e. change in energy.
 
Ah I finally got it! Thankyou all! The 3.08 seconds was just relevant to the next question which was find the power in watts and that is just work divided by time. Thanks again!
 

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