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Aniyah is on a train that travels 10 m/s and takes 5 seconds to slow to rest. How would she correctly calculate the acceleration?

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Final answer:

Aniyah can calculate the train's deceleration by using the formula a = (Δv) / (Δt) with the values (0 m/s - 10 m/s) / 5 s, which equals -2 m/s², indicating the train is decelerating.

Step-by-step explanation:

Calculating Acceleration of a Slowing Train

Aniyah is on a train that decelerates from 10 m/s to a stop in 5 seconds. To calculate the acceleration, which here is actually a deceleration because the train is slowing down, Aniyah can use the formula for average acceleration, a = (Δv) / (Δt), where Δv is the change in velocity and Δt is the time it takes for the change. Since the train slows to rest, its final velocity, vf, is 0 m/s, and its initial velocity, vi, is 10 m/s.

Plugging in the values, the deceleration is a = (0 m/s - 10 m/s) / 5 s = -2 m/s2. The negative sign indicates that the train is decelerating. Aniyah should ensure to understand the concept of deceleration as acceleration in the direction opposite to the velocity.

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