How to Calculate Acceleration for a Stopping Sports Car

[thschica]

A sports car is advertised to be able to stop in a distance of 55 m from a speed of 85 km/h.
(a) What is its acceleration in m/s2?

(b) How many g's is this (g = 9.80 m/s2)?




I am confused as to how you would find the acceleration.Iwould be able to put it into g's but i don't understand how to get the acceleration!

 

[VietDao29]

Do you know the equation:
v_f ^ 2 = v_i ^ 2 + 2ad?
It's used to solve for a when v_i, v_f, and d is known.
Viet Dao,

 

[thschica]

would v_i =23.6 m/s,v_f=55m,and d=0

 

[Nylex]

would v_i =23.6 m/s,v_f=55m,and d=0

No. Where do you get that 23.6 ms^-1 from? v_f is also a speed, so it isn't a distance. Also, why did you put d = 0?

 

[thschica]

I have no idea what to do in this problem.I divided 85km/h to get it into m/s.

 

[iNCREDiBLE]

would v_i =23.6 m/s,v_f=55m,and d=0

v_f = 0 m/s
v_i = 23.611 m/s
d = 55 m

 

[Dr.Brain]

Use the basic kinematics equation
v^2 - u^2 = 2as

For your second part , divide your answer by g , that will give you the reqd. number.

Donot forget to convert km/hr to m/sec.

Regards
BJ

 

[thschica]

Thank you!I understand what I did!Is the answer a negative number?

 

[iNCREDiBLE]

Thank you!I understand what I did!Is the answer a negative number?

Yes, indeed. The velocity has decreased down to zero which means that the acceleration must be negative. A negative acceleration is also called deceleration/retardation.