Question

The 1992 world speed record for a bicycle (human-powered vehicle) was set by Chris Huber. His time through the measured 200 m stretch was a sizzling 6.509 s, at which he commented,"Cogito ergo zoom!" (I think, therefore I go fast!). a.) What was Chris Huber’s speed in meters per second(m/s)? b) In 2001, Sam Whittingham beat Huber’s record by 19.0 km/h. What was Whittingham’s time through the 200 m? (answer hours)

Answer 1

a) 30.726m/s and b) 5.5549s

Explanation:

a.) What was Chris Huber’s speed in meters per second(m/s)?

Given the distance and time, the formula to obtain the speed is

`v=(d)/(t)`.

Applying this to our problem we have that

`v=(200m)/(6.509s)= 30.726m/s`.

So, Chris Huber’s speed in meters per second(m/s) was 30.726m/s.

b) What was Whittingham’s time through the 200 m?

In a) we stated that
`v=(d)/(t)`. This formula implies that

1. 
   `t=(d)/(v)`.

First, observer that
`19(km)/(h) =19,000(m)/(h)=(19,000)/(3,600)m/s= 5.2777m/s`.

Then, Sam Whittingham speed was equal to Chris Huber’s speed plus 5.2777 m/s. So,
`v=30.726(m)/(s) +5.2777(m)/(s)= 36.003 m/s.`

Then, applying 1) we have that

`t=(200m)/(36.003m/s)=5.5549s.`

So, Sam Whittingham’s time through the 200 m was 5.5549s.