Very likely a stupid question =S Finding acceleration with formula V^2=u^2+2*a*d

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
Sign up Log in
5 replies · 2K views
zachattak
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



racing driver, David Purley, survived a deceleration from 173km/h to 0km/h in a distance of 66cm in a crash. body mass = 55kg

Homework Equations



V^2=u^2+2*a*d is what i have to work with at the moment, i was thinking of using a=Fnet/mass. but I am having trouble finding the Fnet.

The Attempt at a Solution



honestly, i don't know where to start.
 
Physics news on Phys.org

Discussion

In the formula you gave,
[tex]v^2 = u^2 + 2ad[/tex]
what do all the letters mean?
I.e. what does v stand for, and u, and a and d?
Can you also list for which ones values are given in the problem and which ones are still unknown?
 
CompuChip said:
In the formula you gave,
[tex]v^2 = u^2 + 2ad[/tex]
what do all the letters mean?
I.e. what does v stand for, and u, and a and d?
Can you also list for which ones values are given in the problem and which ones are still unknown?
um, the only variables and values they gave me are, the mass of the driver '55kg', the initial velocity '173 km/h' final velocity '0km/h' and the stopping distance '66cm'
i understand that there are a few other things which may help, but that's all he gave us
v=final velocity
u=initial velocity
a=acceleration
d=distance


sorry about this, this is my first post on here and yeah, sorry mate.
 
Look closely at the two lists.
Seems to me that the formula is very useful... there is just one unknown quantity in there, isn't it?
 
yeah, my main problem is i don't know how to rearrange the formula =S
 
OK, what formula do you get when you plug in all the given values?