Question

A truck passes point A on a straight, level road with a constant velocity of 12 m/s. At the same instant, an automobile starts from rest at point A and travels in the same direction as the truck with a constant acceleration of 1.8 m/s^2. What is the initial position of the automobile at the given instant?

a. 5.0 m
b. 10.0 m
c. 15.0 m
d. 20.0 m

Answer 1

The initial position of the automobile at the given instant is 0 meters.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the initial position of the automobile, we can use the equation:

x = xo + vot + 1/2at^2

Since the automobile starts from rest, its initial velocity is 0 m/s. The acceleration is given as 1.8 m/s^2 and the time is t.

Substituting the values, we have

x = 0 + 0*t + 1/2(1.8)*t^2

Simplifying the equation, we get:

x = 0.9*t^2

At the given instant, t = 0 seconds. Therefore, the initial position of the automobile is:

x = 0.9*(0)^2 = 0

So the initial position of the automobile at the given instant is 0 meters.