What is the minimum stopping distance for a car traveling at a speed of 40 m/s?

AI Thread Summary
The minimum stopping distance for a car traveling at 40 m/s is calculated to be 100 meters, considering the driver's reaction time. The initial stopping distance for a speed of 30 m/s is 60 meters, which includes a reaction time of 0.5 seconds. The discussion highlights the importance of correctly applying kinematic equations to determine stopping distances. A participant initially calculated a stopping distance of 96.7 meters but later adjusted their approach using the correct formulas. The conversation emphasizes the significance of understanding acceleration and time in these calculations.
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[SOLVED] Minimum Stopping Distance

Homework Statement


The minimum stopping distance for a car traveling at a speed of 30m/s is 60m, including the distance traveled during the driver's reaction time of 0.50s.

a.What is the minimum stopping distance for the same car traveling at a speed of 40 m/s?

b. Draw a position-versus-time graph for the motion of the car in part a. Assume the car is at Xo=0m when the driver first sees the emergency situation ahead that calls for a rapid halt.

Homework Equations


For a part:
Vf=Vi+at

d=((Vi+Vf)/2)*t

The Attempt at a Solution



The correct answer for a part is 100m. I'm getting 96.7m. I started with the given and figured the time to be 5.335s, using Vf=Vi+at, and subtracted .5s for the reaction time. Then I used d=((Vi+Vf)/2)*t, which I got 96.7m. I don't think that I'm plugging into the formulas correctly?
 
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The car will not stop in the same time. But its acceleration is constant. Try v^2 = u^2 +2as
 
Okay, I got the acceleration from the given information and then used the equation you have given to solve for a. part. Thanks for the help--it is greatly appreaciated.
 
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