What Was the Average Acceleration During a Car Collision?

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A car traveling at 81 km/h collides with a tree, causing the driver to come to rest after traveling 0.85 meters. The average acceleration during the collision needs to be calculated. The speed was converted to meters per second, but initial attempts to solve the problem were challenging. The discussion reveals that the user eventually identified their mistake in the calculations. Understanding the correct equations is crucial for determining the average acceleration.
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Homework Statement


A car traveling 81 km/h strikes a tree. The front end of the car compresses and the driver comes to rest after traveling 0.85 m.

What was the average acceleration of the driver during the collision?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I've converted the speed to meters per second but keep getting stuck when trying to get the equations of the distances.
 
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atbruick said:

Homework Statement


A car traveling 81 km/h strikes a tree. The front end of the car compresses and the driver comes to rest after traveling 0.85 m.

What was the average acceleration of the driver during the collision?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I've converted the speed to meters per second but keep getting stuck when trying to get the equations of the distances.

What relevant equations are you trying to use
 
I actually just figured out what I was doing wrong!
 

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