Very simple kinematics question

[ihatecats2014]

Homework Statement

i haven't taken physics since freshman year of high school and this is chapter 1 in physics. I forgot i am sorry. I know it's really easy

A sports car moving at constant speed travels 120m in 5.3s , then brakes and comes to a stop in 3.8s .
What is the magnitude of its acceleration in m/s²

Homework Equations

a= ∆v/∆t
v=∆x/∆t
or a=dv/dt

i have no clue which equations to use. hint please.

The Attempt at a Solution

v= ∆x/∆t
x₁= 120(5.3)= 636
x₀= 0
∆t= 3.8-5.3
average V= 162.1 m/s²

i have to get the magnitude of it's acceleration; is that the same as it's average acceleration? i don't know what i am doing. sorry

 

[Doc Al]

a= ∆v/∆t
v=∆x/∆t

You'll need both of these equations.

He's only accelerating for 3.8 seconds. (For the 5.3 seconds before that, he was moving at constant speed.)

What's the initial speed before he begins accelerating? (Figure it out from the given data.)
The final speed?

The change in speed? The time it takes?

Then you can calculate the acceleration.

 

[ihatecats2014]

thank you! i had a huge brain fart

 

[ihatecats2014]

but i might be having one again, so just to make sure:v=∆x/∆t
x2=120/5.3 (3.8) = 86.0m; x1= 120m so 120+86= 206 therefore ∆x= 86-206 = -120
∆t=3.8- 5.3= 1.5

v=80m/s^2

a=80/1.5
a=53.3??

is this right?

 

[Doc Al]

No, not right. Please answer each of the questions I asked in my last post. That will lead you step by step to the answer.

 

[ihatecats2014]

You'll need both of these equations.

He's only accelerating for 3.8 seconds. (For the 5.3 seconds before that, he was moving at constant speed.)

What's the initial speed before he begins accelerating? (Figure it out from the given data.)
The final speed?

The change in speed? The time it takes?

Then you can calculate the acceleration.

the initial speed before he accelerated is 22.6m/s (120/5.3)
the final speed is 0 because he came to a stop
the change in speed is -22.6
the time for both would be -1.5 (3.8-5.3)
so a=∆v/∆t
-22.6/-1.5 = 15.0?

 

[Doc Al]

the initial speed before he accelerated is 22.6m/s
the final speed is 0 because he came to a stop
the change in speed is -22.6

Perfect.

the time for both would be -1.5 (3.8-5.3)

Careful: The time you need here is just the time for the acceleration. That's given--no need to calculate anything. (How long does it take to come to a stop?)

Fix that and you've got it.

 

[ihatecats2014]

so it is -22.6/3.8 which is 5.9 and the negative is to just denote a deceleration right? should it be written as a negative or is 5.9 ok.

 

[Doc Al]

so it is -22.6/3.8 which is 5.9 and the negative is to just denote a deceleration right?

Right. The negative sign just means that the acceleration is opposite to the velocity.

should it be written as a negative or is 5.9 ok.

You only want the magnitude, which is always positive.

 

[ihatecats2014]

thank you very much, i feel like i need to pay you for your help. Thank you thank you. You are awesome.