Question

Emerson is sprinting down the field at 4.5 m/s. When she got the ball stolen from her, she slowed down to just 1.5 m/s. It took her 2.2 seconds to do this. At what rate was she accelerating? Include the sign, positive or negative.

A) Emerson was accelerating at 1.36 m/s² (positive).
B) Emerson was accelerating at 1.36 m/s² (negative).
C) Emerson was decelerating at 1.36 m/s² (positive).
D) Emerson was decelerating at 1.36 m/s² (negative).
E) None of the above.

Answer 1

Emerson was decelerating at 1.36 m/s² (negative).

Step-by-step explanation:

The student wants to know at what rate Emerson was accelerating when she slowed down from 4.5 m/s to 1.5 m/s in 2.2 seconds. To find the acceleration, we use the equation:

Acceleration = (Final Velocity - Initial Velocity) / Time

Plugging in the given values:

Acceleration = (1.5 m/s - 4.5 m/s) / 2.2 s

Acceleration = -3 m/s / 2.2 s = -1.36 m/s²

The negative sign indicates that Emerson was decelerating, so the correct answer is option D) Emerson was decelerating at 1.36 m/s² (negative).