How Do You Calculate Deceleration from Average Velocity?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the deceleration of a car that uniformly decelerates to a stop over 10 seconds with an average velocity of 50 km/h (13.9 m/s), the initial velocity (v0) must first be determined. Using the average velocity formula, vavg = (v0 + v)/2, and knowing the final velocity (v) is 0, v0 is calculated to be approximately 27.8 m/s. The acceleration (a) is then found using the formula a = Δv/Δt, resulting in a deceleration of -2.78 m/s². The calculations confirm that the process is correct, despite initial arithmetic errors. Understanding the equations and methodical problem-solving is crucial for accurate results.
Nirupt
Messages
35
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement

A car decelerates uniformly and comes to a stop after 10 s. The car's average velocity during deceleration was 50 km/h. What was the car's acceleration while slowing to a stop?

{Since the acceleration is UNIFORM (constant), use vavg = (v0 + v)/2... }

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



V0 is not known, Final V = 0, t = 10, Vavg is 13.9 m/s and trying to find a

But when I try to plug it in I feel I have to solve for v0
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Start by writing down the equations that describe the car's motion.
 
The equation I come up with was 13.9(10) = (v0 - 0/2)(10)
But that equals to -27.8 m/s^2 which is not the right answer
 
Nirupt said:

Homework Statement



A car decelerates uniformly and comes to a stop after 10 s. The car's average velocity during deceleration was 50 km/h. What was the car's acceleration while slowing to a stop?

{Since the acceleration is UNIFORM (constant), use vavg = (v0 + v)/2... }

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution



V0 is not known, Final V = 0, t = 10, Vavg is 13.9 m/s and trying to find a

But when I try to plug it in I feel I have to solve for v0
Do it one step at a time.

You have, vavg = (v0 + v)/2 , and you know vavg ≈ 13.9 m/s and v = 0 . So solve that for v0 .

After that it's pretty straight forward to find the acceleration.
 
Nirupt said:
The equation I come up with was 13.9(10) = (v0 - 0/2)(10)
But that equals to -27.8 m/s^2 which is not the right answer
Write the equations using symbols, not numbers. It is easier to see what is happening with the physics that way.
 
SammyS said:
Do it one step at a time.

You have, vavg = (v0 + v)/2 , and you know vavg ≈ 13.9 m/s and v = 0 . So solve that for v0 .

After that it's pretty straight forward to find the acceleration.

So 13.9m/s = (v0 + 0)/2 = 23.7 m/s
V0≈23.7 m/s
V≈0
t≈10
Then Δv/Δt..

0-23.7m/s
-----------
10 s

= -2.37 m/s2
 
Nirupt said:
So 13.9m/s = (v0 + 0)/2 = 23.7 m/s
V0≈23.7 m/s
V≈0
t≈10
Then Δv/Δt..

0-23.7m/s
-----------
10 s

= -2.37 m/s2
Looks good !
 
SammyS said:
Looks good !

No, there still seems to be an arithmetic mistake :-p

V_{0}\approx27.8 m/s
 
I'm not sure why I typed that but I know the answer is correct.
 
Back
Top