Question

A motorcycle is moving at 30 m/s when the rider applies the brakes, giving the motorcycle a constant deceleration. During the 3.1 s interval immediately after braking begins, the speed decreases to 15 m/s. What distance does the motorcycle travel from the instant braking begins until the motorcycle stops

Answer 1

The motorcycle travelled 69.73 m during these 3.1 s.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to calculate the distance that the motorcycle travelled we first need to obtain the acceleration rate that was used to brake the vehicle. We do that by using the following formula:

a = (V_final - V_initial)/(t) = (15 - 30)/(3.1) = -4.84 m/s^2

The distance is given by the following formula:

S = (V_final^2 - V_initial^2)/(2*a)

S = (15^2 - 30^2)/[2*(-4.84)] = (225 - 900)/(-9.68) = -675/(-9.68) = 69.73 m

The motorcycle travelled 69.73 m during these 3.1 s.