How Do You Calculate Deceleration from Average Velocity?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the deceleration of a car that uniformly decelerates to a stop over a period of 10 seconds, with an average velocity of 50 km/h. Participants are exploring the relationship between average velocity, initial velocity, and acceleration in the context of kinematics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of the average velocity formula and the need to determine the initial velocity. There are attempts to set up equations based on the given average velocity and time, with some questioning the arithmetic involved in their calculations.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided guidance on how to approach the problem step by step, emphasizing the importance of solving for the initial velocity before calculating acceleration. There are indications of differing interpretations regarding the arithmetic results, with some participants expressing uncertainty about their calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information they can use or the methods they can apply. There is a focus on ensuring that the reasoning aligns with the principles of uniform acceleration.

Nirupt
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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:
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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.
 

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