Help with Acceleration problems

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on solving acceleration problems using the LESSS method. Key calculations include determining the acceleration of a car accelerating from rest to 100 km/h, which results in an acceleration of 0.5 m/s². Additionally, the discussion addresses the time required for a car to accelerate from 50 m/s to 80 m/s at 4.0 m/s² and the final velocity of a plane accelerating at 5.00 m/s² for two minutes from 200 km/h. The conversation emphasizes the importance of unit conversions and the correct application of fundamental physics equations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic kinematics equations
  • Knowledge of unit conversions (km/h to m/s, minutes to seconds)
  • Familiarity with acceleration concepts and calculations
  • Ability to apply the LESSS method for problem-solving
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to convert km/h to m/s for accurate calculations
  • Study the application of kinematic equations in various scenarios
  • Practice solving acceleration problems using the LESSS method
  • Explore advanced topics in physics such as projectile motion and forces
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching kinematics, and anyone interested in mastering acceleration calculations and problem-solving techniques.

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Show all work using LESSS to answer questions 1 - 3.

1. A car starts from rest and proceeds west, accelerating to a velocity of 100 km/h in exactly one minute. What was the acceleration in m/s2?

a=ΔvΔt

This is what I got for #1
L Delta A = ?
E Delta A = Ai= 27.8m/s Af= 60 seconds
S Delta A = Ai/Af = 27.8 / 60 =
S Delta A = 0.463
S Delta A = 0.5m/s2 2. A car traveling north at 50 m/s speeds up to 80 m/s by accelerating at a rate of 4.0 m/s2. What was the time required?

T= Iv/fv*a?

3. A plane traveling at 200 km/h north accelerates at 5.00 m/s2 for two minutes. What is the planes final velocity in m/s?

Final velocity = iv+ t * a3. A plane traveling at 200 km/h north accelerates at 5.00 m/s2 for two minutes. What is the planes final velocity in m/s?

Final velocity = (Initial velocity) + (time)(acceleration)
Show your work including equation, substitution and final answer, for questions 4 – 7.

4. A boy on a bicycle travels in a straight line east and slows down from 30 m/s to 10 m/s in 5.0 s. What is his acceleration?

a=ΔivΔfv5. A car traveling south slows down from 80 m/s to 40 m/s by accelerating at -4.0 m/s2. What time interval was required?

Time = Initial Speed/Final Speed*Acceleration? 6. A car traveling south accelerates at 3.0 m/s2 for 9.0 s and reaches a speed of 90 m/s. What was the car’s original speed?

Not sure7. A car traveling east at an unknown speed applies the brakes and slows down at a rate of 5.0 m/s2 for 5.0 s. If the final velocity of the car is 95 m/s east, what was the original velocity of the car?

Not sure

I'm aware I need to at least try, Which I'm doing now.
Thanks in advance.
 
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gabez said:
Show all work using LESSS to answer questions 1 - 3.

1. A car starts from rest and proceeds west, accelerating to a velocity of 100 km/h in exactly one minute. What was the acceleration in m/s2?

a=ΔvΔt

This is what I got for #1
L Delta A = ?
E Delta A = Ai= 27.8m/s Af= 60 seconds
S Delta A = Ai/Af = 27.8 / 60 =
S Delta A = 0.463
S Delta A = 0.5m/s2


2. A car traveling north at 50 m/s speeds up to 80 m/s by accelerating at a rate of 4.0 m/s2. What was the time required?

T= Iv/fv*a?

3. A plane traveling at 200 km/h north accelerates at 5.00 m/s2 for two minutes. What is the planes final velocity in m/s?

Final velocity = iv+ t * a


3. A plane traveling at 200 km/h north accelerates at 5.00 m/s2 for two minutes. What is the planes final velocity in m/s?

Final velocity = (Initial velocity) + (time)(acceleration)



Show your work including equation, substitution and final answer, for questions 4 – 7.

4. A boy on a bicycle travels in a straight line east and slows down from 30 m/s to 10 m/s in 5.0 s. What is his acceleration?

a=ΔivΔfv


5. A car traveling south slows down from 80 m/s to 40 m/s by accelerating at -4.0 m/s2. What time interval was required?

Time = Initial Speed/Final Speed*Acceleration?


6. A car traveling south accelerates at 3.0 m/s2 for 9.0 s and reaches a speed of 90 m/s. What was the car’s original speed?

Not sure


7. A car traveling east at an unknown speed applies the brakes and slows down at a rate of 5.0 m/s2 for 5.0 s. If the final velocity of the car is 95 m/s east, what was the original velocity of the car?

Not sure

I'm aware I need to at least try, Which I'm doing now.
Thanks in advance.

What on Earth does LESSS mean?

1: do you know how to convert km to metres? hours to seconds? minutes to seconds?
because the acceleration is obviously 100km/hour/minute - it is just a unit conversion from there.

All the other questions are a fancy way of asking "Do you know what acceleration is/means?"

You are indicating the answer is no.
All these examples seem to be in a straight line, which makes things simpler.
If you accelerate at 5 m/s2 for 3 seconds, you velocity will increase by 15 m/s.

If it was 12, it will now be 27.

If it becomes 35, it was originally 20.

hope that helps.
 
Welcome to Physics Forums.

gabez said:
Show all work using LESSS to answer questions 1 - 3.

1. A car starts from rest and proceeds west, accelerating to a velocity of 100 km/h in exactly one minute. What was the acceleration in m/s2?

a=ΔvΔt

Actually, it's a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}, right? :wink: Let's call this Useful Equation #1.

This is what I got for #1
L Delta A = ?
E Delta A = Ai= 27.8m/s Af= 60 seconds
S Delta A = Ai/Af = 27.8 / 60 =
S Delta A = 0.463
S Delta A = 0.5m/s2
That's the correct answer. But I have no idea what LESSS means, and you seem to be using "Delta A" to mean both the initial velocity and the acceleration, which are different things.

2. A car traveling north at 50 m/s speeds up to 80 m/s by accelerating at a rate of 4.0 m/s2. What was the time required?

T= Iv/fv*a?
No, use a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t} ( Useful Equation #1) as before. You are given a and you can figure out what Δv is from the given information.

3. A plane traveling at 200 km/h north accelerates at 5.00 m/s2 for two minutes. What is the planes final velocity in m/s?

Final velocity = iv+ t * a
That is the correct equation. Let's call it Useful Equation #2. Plug in the given information and calculate it -- you'll need to do some units conversions.

Show your work including equation, substitution and final answer, for questions 4 – 7.

4. A boy on a bicycle travels in a straight line east and slows down from 30 m/s to 10 m/s in 5.0 s. What is his acceleration?

a=ΔivΔfv
What does Δiv even mean here? The change in the initial velocity? That doesn't even make sense.

Instead, try using either Useful Equation #1 or Useful Equation #2. In fact, all the remaining problems can be solved using either Useful Equation #1 or Useful Equation #2:

5. A car traveling south slows down from 80 m/s to 40 m/s by accelerating at -4.0 m/s2. What time interval was required?

Time = Initial Speed/Final Speed*Acceleration?

6. A car traveling south accelerates at 3.0 m/s2 for 9.0 s and reaches a speed of 90 m/s. What was the car’s original speed?

Not sure

7. A car traveling east at an unknown speed applies the brakes and slows down at a rate of 5.0 m/s2 for 5.0 s. If the final velocity of the car is 95 m/s east, what was the original velocity of the car?

Not sure
 

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