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Homework Help: HELP! Physics problem due tomorrow

  1. Sep 13, 2012 #1

    hmcaldwell01

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    HELP! Physics problem due tomorrow!!

    1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

    A sports car can accelerate from rest to a speed of 40 m/s while traveling a distance of 200 m. Assume the acceleration of the car can be modeled as a decreasing linear function of time, with a maximum acceleration of 10.4 m/s^2. I must write equations for the acceleration, velocity and position of the car as functions of time.

    2. Relevant equations



    3. The attempt at a solution
    1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data



    2. Relevant equations



    3. The attempt at a solution
     
    hmcaldwell01, Sep 13, 2012
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  3. Sep 13, 2012 #2

    jedishrfu

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    Insights Author

    Staff: Mentor

    Re: HELP! Physics problem due tomorrow!!

    Hi hmcaldwell01, Welcome to the Physics Forum.

    While we can appreciate the urgency of your request, we can't help if you don't show any work.

    It would be good to start with a picture of things and then attempt to write equations to stop the problem.

    what does it mean to say the acceleration is a decreasing linear function? Does that mean the acceleration starts at 10.4 m/s^2 and then drops down to zero like the equation:

    a= a_initial - k * t where k is to be determined
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2012
    jedishrfu, Sep 13, 2012
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