Question

A world-class sprinter can reach a top speed (of about 11.8 m/s ) in the first 19.0 m of a race. what is the average acceleration of this sprinter

Answer 1

We use the kinematic equation of motion, to calculate the average acceleration

`v^(2) =u^(2) +2a (h-h_(0) )`

or
`a=(v^(2) -v_(0)^2)/(2(h-h_(0)) )`

Here,
`v_(0)` is initial speed , v is final speed h is covered distance
`h_(0)` is initial position.

Given
`v= 11.8 m/s` ,
`v_(0) =0` ,
`h = 19.0 m` and
`h_(0) =0`.

Substituting these values in above equation we get,

`a=((11.8)^2-0)/(2(19.0-0)) \\\\\ a =3.66 m/s^2`

Thus, the average acceleration of the sprinter is
`3.66 m/s^2`.