Question

A hawk is flying at a velocity of -12.0 m/s. It sees a rabbit and speeds up toward it for 3.4 s at a rate of 8.8 m/s². How fast is the hawk moving just before it reaches the rabbit?

A) 11.08 m/s
B) 36.12 m/s
C) 38.00 m/s
D) 29.92 m/s

Answer 1

To calculate the velocity of the hawk just before it reaches the rabbit, the kinematic equation (v = u + at) is used, resulting in a final velocity of 17.92 m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

The initial velocity of the hawk is -12.0 m/s (negative sign indicates direction), and it accelerates toward the rabbit at 8.8 m/s² for 3.4 seconds. To find the final velocity of the hawk, we can use the kinematic equation:

v = u + at

Where:
v = final velocity
u = initial velocity
a = acceleration
t = time

Substituting the given values:

v = (-12.0 m/s) + (8.8 m/s²)(3.4 s)

v = -12.0 m/s + 29.92 m/s

v = 17.92 m/s

So, the hawk is moving at a velocity of 17.92 m/s just before it reaches the rabbit.