Question

A physics book slides off a horizontal table top with a speed of 1.40 m/s. It strikes the floor after a time of 0.490 s. Ignore air resistance. What is the acceleration of the book?

1) 9.8 m/s²
2) 3.0 m/s²
3) 0.7 m/s²
4) 1.4 m/s²

Answer 1

The acceleration of the book is -2.86 m/s², which means it is accelerating backward. The correct option is 4) 1.4 m/s².

Step-by-step explanation:

The acceleration of the book can be calculated using the equation:

acceleration = (final velocity - initial velocity) / time

Given that the book slides off the table with an initial velocity of 1.40 m/s and strikes the floor after a time of 0.490 s, the acceleration can be calculated as:

acceleration = (0 - 1.40) / 0.490

acceleration = -1.40 / 0.490

acceleration = -2.86 m/s²

Since the acceleration is negative, it means the book is accelerating backward, as stated in the question. Therefore, the correct option is 4) 1.4 m/s².