What is the boat's speed after an additional 2.6 seconds have elapsed?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a speedboat that accelerates from rest to a speed of 3.4 m/s in 1.8 seconds. The question posed is about determining the boat's speed after an additional 2.6 seconds, assuming constant acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss calculating acceleration based on initial conditions and attempt to apply it to find the final speed after the additional time. There are various attempts to use different formulas and values, leading to confusion about the correct approach.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their calculations and questioning the accuracy of their results. Some guidance has been offered regarding significant figures and the correct application of acceleration, but there is no clear consensus on the final answer yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of significant figures in their calculations and the assumption of constant acceleration throughout the entire time period.

Kildars
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Starting from rest, a speedboat reaches a speed of 3.4 m/s in 1.8 s. What is the boat's speed after an additional 2.6 s has elapsed, assuming the boat's acceleration remains the same?

I have tried finding the velocity for the first 1.8 seconds

[tex]v = v_0 + a t[/tex]

3.4 = 0 + a(1.8)

3.4 / 1.8

a = 1.889

Then tried finding the final velocity assuming it was the same, but using 3.4 as the initial velocity..

v = 3.4 + (1.8)(3.6)

Didn't work.

I also tried v = (1.8)(4.4) adding the total time together, and using v0 as 0.
 
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Kildars said:
...

v = 3.4 + (1.8)(3.6)

Didn't work.

It's v = 3.4 + 1.8*2.6
 
radou said:
It's v = 3.4 + 1.8*2.6

Yeah that's a typo on my part, I meant to type 2.6

The velocity still comes out to 8.08 and that is incorrect.
 
Well, I get 8.31 s, and if that is not the answer, then Houston, we have a problem...
 
civil_dude said:
Well, I get 8.31 s, and if that is not the answer, then Houston, we have a problem...


How do you get 8.31?
 
I always use 3 significant figures, 3.4/1.8 = a =1.889, not 1.8, then round to 2 at the end.

So, (1.8 + 2.6)s is the elapsed time which equals 4.40s. Then, you multiply that by 1.889m/s/s to get 8.31m/s.
 
Last edited:
civil_dude said:
I always use 3 significant figures, 3.4/1.8 = a =1.889, not 1.8, then round to 2 at the end.

So, (1.8 + 2.6)s is the elapsed time which equals 4.40s. Then, you multiply that by 1.889m/s/s to get 8.31m/s.

I guess that was my problem, wasnt doing enough figures.
 

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