Question

A car moving at 18.5 m/s suddenly brakes and comes to a stop after covering 16.0 m. What is the car's acceleration?

Answer 1

-10.7 m/s²

Step-by-step explanation:

Given:

Vo = 18.5 m/s

Vf = 0

Δx = 16.0 m

Find:

a

Use the formula: Vf² = Vo² + 2aΔx

0 = (18.5 m/s)² + 2a(16.0 m)

Solve for a:

a(32 m) = -(342.25 m²/s²)

a = -(342.25 m²/s²) / (32 m) = - 10.6953 ≈ -10.7 m/s²

negative sign means the car slowed down