Question

A drag racer starts her car from rest and accelerates at 5.5 m/s2 for the entire distance of 523 m. How long did it take the car to travel this distance? Answer in units of s.

Answer 1

t = 13.7 s or t = 14 s with proper significant figures

Step-by-step explanation:

The initial speed is 0 m/s since the car starts from rest, acceleration is 5.5 m/s2 and distance is 523 m.

Since we have initial speed, acceleration and distance we can use the following formula to find the time. We can now use algebra to work out our answer.

d = vt +
`(1)/(2)`at²

523 = (0)t + (
`(1)/(2)`)(5.5)t²

523 = 2.8t²

186.8 = t²

13.7 s = t

(t = 14 s with proper significant figures)