Question

A car is traveling at a constant velocity of magnitude V0 when the driver notices a garbage can on the road in front of him. At that moment, the distance between the garbage can and the front of the car is d. At time t after noticing the garbage can, the driver applies the brakes and slows down at a constant rate before coming to a halt just before the garbage can. What is the magnitude of the car's acceleration after the brakes are applied? A) -V₀²/(2d)

B) -2V₀²/d
C) 2V₀²/d
D) V₀²/(2d)

Answer 1

The magnitude of the car's acceleration after the brakes are applied is -V₀²/(2d).

Step-by-step explanation:

The magnitude of the car's acceleration after the brakes are applied can be determined using the equation:

a = -V₀²/(2d)

Where V₀ is the initial velocity of the car and d is the distance between the car and the garbage can. The negative sign indicates that the acceleration is in the opposite direction of the car's motion. Therefore, the correct answer is A) -V₀²/(2d).