What Is the Acceleration of a Car After 10 Seconds from Rest?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the acceleration of a car that starts from rest and reaches a speed of 40 m/s after 10 seconds. The subject area is kinematics, specifically focusing on acceleration and motion equations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to clarify the meaning of the given values, particularly questioning whether 40 m/s represents distance or force. Some participants suggest using the definitions of velocity and acceleration to approach the problem, while others emphasize the relevance of the initial conditions.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different interpretations of the problem and discussing the necessary equations to find acceleration. Some guidance has been provided regarding the definitions and the relevance of the mass in this context, but no consensus has been reached on a specific method to solve the problem.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses concern about the presence of extraneous information and the potential for confusion due to the problem's wording. There is an acknowledgment of the challenge posed by varying amounts of information in homework problems.

Justhelp
Messages
43
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Ten seconds after starting from rest, a car with a mass of 1000kg is moving at 40m/s. The acceleration of the car is?

Homework Equations



F=ma or a=vf-vi/t

The Attempt at a Solution



I have m=1000kg
t=10s
d=40m/s

I am not sure if d is 40m/s though or is the force?
And with one of the formulas I picked I wouldn't be able to use 1000kg? I have a feeling that this problem requires two formulas.
 
Physics news on Phys.org


Justhelp said:
d=40m/s

I am not sure if d is 40m/s though or is the force?
And with one of the formulas I picked I wouldn't be able to use 1000kg? I have a feeling that this problem requires two formulas.

Just note that d is velocity of the car. The usual sign for velocity is u or v, and d or s is commonly used for distance/displacement.

So now, your initial velocity is 0, as it started from rest. You also know the final velocity, and the time interval to attain this final velocity(assuming constant acceleration) So, finding the acceleration shouldn't be a problem if you use one of those relevant equations :wink: And yes, you don't necessarily need the mass here. It can be used to calculate the force, but that doesn't concern the question...
 


All that is required is the basic definition of acceleration, which is the second equation you listed under 'relevant equations'.
 


Ah ok. I dislike when there is extra information or too little, I know it's how they try to mess you up. It makes me nervous as well thinking that there may be a formula that I don't know. But should. It's easier with too little information though.

Thank you.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
94
Views
7K
Replies
40
Views
8K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
1K