Question

A Thomson's gazelle can reach a speed of 13 m/s in 3.0 s. A lion can reach a speed of 9.5 m/s in 1.0 s. A trout can reach a speed of 2.8 m/s in 0.12 s. Which equation from the formula sheet should you use to determine which animal has the largest acceleration?

Answer 1

The acceleration of Trout is largest.

Step-by-step explanation:

Speed of Thomson's gazelle, v = 13 m/s in 3 s. Let us assumed that initial speed is 0. Acceleration is given by :

`a_T=(v-u)/(t)\\\\a_T=(v)/(t)\\\\a_T=(13\ m/s)/(3\ s)\\\\a_T=4.34\ m/s^2`

Speed of lion is 9.5 m/s in 10 s. Let us assumed that initial speed is 0. Acceleration is given by :

`a=(v-u)/(t)\\\\a_l=(v)/(t)\\\\a_l=(9.5\ m/s)/(1\ s)\\\\a_l=9.5\ m/s^2`

A trout can reach a speed of 2.8 m/s in 0.12 s. Let us assumed that initial speed is 0. Acceleration is given by :

`a=(v-u)/(t)\\\\a_t=(v)/(t)\\\\a_t=(2.8\ m/s)/(0.12\ s)\\\\a_t=23.34\ m/s^2`

It is clear that the acceleration of Thomson's gazelle, lion and trout is
`4.34\ m/s^2, 9.5\ m/s^2\ and\ 23.34\ m/s^2` respectively. So, the acceleration of Trout is largest.