Question

A student walks down the hallway at +5 m/s and accelerates at a rate of +1.5 m/s^2 for 2 seconds to catch up to their friends. What is the final velocity of the student?

A) 15 m/s
B) 18 m/s
C) 20 m/s
D) 25 m/s

Answer 1

The final velocity of the student, after accelerating for 2 seconds at a rate of +1.5 m/s^2 from an initial velocity of +5 m/s, is 8 m/s. This conclusion is reached by applying the kinematic equation for constant acceleration, which indicates the options provided in the question might have an error as none match the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The final velocity of the student can be determined using the kinematic equation that links initial velocity, acceleration, and time. The initial velocity of the student is +5 m/s. The student accelerates at a rate of +1.5 m/s2 for 2 seconds.

Using the equation:

final velocity = initial velocity + (acceleration × time)

We plug in the given values:

final velocity = 5 m/s + (1.5 m/s2 × 2 s) = 5 m/s + 3 m/s = 8 m/s

Therefore, the final velocity of the student after accelerating for 2 seconds is 8 m/s, which is not one of the options provided, suggesting a possible error in the question or the options. It seems that the correct option is missing from the provided choices.