Question

A roller coaster speeds up with constant acceleration for 2.3 s until it reaches a velocity of 35 m/s. We want to find the initial velocity of the roller coaster before it started to accelerate. Which kinematic formula would be most useful to solve for the target unknown? Assume the initial direction of travel is the positive direction.

Options:
Option 1: v = u + at
Option 2: s = ut + (1/2)at^2
Option 3: v^2 = u^2 + 2as
Option 4: s = (u + v)t/2

Answer 1

The most applicable kinematic formula to find the roller coaster's initial velocity before acceleration is Option 1: v = u + at.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the initial velocity of the roller coaster before it started to accelerate, the most useful kinematic formula is Option 1: v = u + at. This equation is suitable because it directly relates the final velocity (v), initial velocity (u), acceleration (a), and time (t), and you have the final velocity, the time, and can assume initial velocity is the primary unknown since acceleration can be derived from the other values.