Solving Distance of Train from Start to Stoppage

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Homework Statement



Train goes at 280km/h. Starts breaking with a constant acceleration of -2m/s-2. How many meters does it perform until it stops completely? Sorry if the English is poor.

Homework Equations



If I had them I probably wouldn't be asking.

The Attempt at a Solution



Well, 280km/h equals to about 77.78 m/s. Great, what now?:confused:
 

Discussion

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If you are going to do kinematic exercises you should know the basic equations.

[tex]v=v_{0}+at[/tex]
[tex]v^{2}=v^{2}_{0}+2ae[/tex]
[tex]x=x_{0}+v_{0}t+\frac{1}{2}at^{2}[/tex]

Try with those, one should work, and write them down for the next problems.
 
Canha said:

Homework Statement



Train goes at 280km/h. Starts breaking with a constant acceleration of -2m/s-2. How many meters does it perform until it stops completely? Sorry if the English is poor.

Homework Equations



If I had them I probably wouldn't be asking.

Constant acceleration is the hint. There are kinematic equations that should be used to answer this question.

The Attempt at a Solution



Well, 280km/h equals to about 77.78 m/s. Great, what now?:confused:

ok. that's a start. =) write down your knowns: v initial, v final, a. Your unknown is distance.
 
I do know the first and third, but those don't seem to help do they? What do I do with the time in there? I don't have any reference to the time. What's the 'e' in the second one?

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Oh, should I discover the time at which the final v is at 0 and then substitute in the motion equation to find out the position?
 
Last edited:
look at your knowns and look at the equations.

e is distance
 
Canha said:
I do know the first and third, but those don't seem to help do they? What do I do with the time in there? I don't have any reference to the time. What's the 'e' in the second one?

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Oh, should I discover the time at which the final v is at 0 and then substitute in the motion equation to find out the position?
Don't need to find time!
 
mizzy said:
Don't need to find time!

But would it work?
Anyway I never heard about the second equation but it did work! I don't understand but it did lol.
 
those are the 3 main equations to know for constant acceleration
 
mizzy said:
those are the 3 main equations to know for constant acceleration

I don't think I would pull this off in an exam (now I would).

Thank you both!