100,416 views
38 votes
38 votes
For each of the problems below, you will need to draw a graph to find the solution.

3. A driver who is moving at 15 m/s, sees a stop light and puts on the brakes 30 m before an intersection.
a) What acceleration will the driver have to have to stop before entering the intersection?
b) How much time will it take to stop the car?

4. A boy standing on a bridge spits into the water below. He hears the splash 1.5 seconds later. How high is the bridge?

5. A ball is thrown upwards at 20.0 m/s.
a) How far has it traveled after 4.0 seconds?
b) What is its velocity at that time?

User Kobowo
by
2.8k points

1 Answer

19 votes
19 votes

Final answer:

These physics problems involve concepts such as acceleration, velocity, and displacement, often represented in graphical form. Problems can range from determining the stopping time and distance for a car to calculating the height of a bridge based on the time it takes for a sound to be heard.

Step-by-step explanation:

Physics problems like these typically involve concepts of kinematics and dynamics, which can include acceleration, velocity, and displacement. Graphical representations of motion such as velocity-time graphs or distance-time graphs are often used to derive these physical quantities.

For instance, Question 3 part a) could involve plotting a velocity-time graph where the slope represents the acceleration needed for the driver to stop before entering the intersection. The graph would start at 15 m/s and end at the intersection point with the velocity dropping to 0 m/s over the 30 m distance. A linear decrease in velocity on this graph would reflect constant deceleration. To find the time taken to stop the car, you could use the equation v = u + at, where v is the final velocity, u is the initial velocity, a is the acceleration, and t is the time.

Similarly, in Question 4, a distance-time graph could help visualize the descent of the spit to the water. Understanding that the sound of the splash travels at a known speed allows you to calculate the height of the bridge.

Problems related to projectile motion and linear motion, as described in the latter questions, require an understanding of the basic principles of physics and the application of kinematic equations. By solving these, students can find out how fast an object will travel, how long it will be in the air, and what its displacement will be at different points in time.

User Nikhil Mishra
by
2.9k points