Final answer:
To find the new speed of the bus after acceleration, the initial speed is added to the product of acceleration and time. The bus decelerates from an initial speed of 31 m/s at a rate of -0.5 m/s² for 12.5 seconds, resulting in a new speed of 24.75 m/s, answer C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question is concerned with calculating the new speed of a bus after a period of acceleration. To find the new speed, we use the formula for acceleration, which is defined as the change in velocity over time:
Final velocity (v) = Initial velocity (u) + Acceleration (a) × Time (t)
Given:
Initial speed (u) = 31 m/s,
Acceleration (a) = -0.5 m/s² (since it's decelerating),
Time (t) = 12.5 seconds.
To calculate the new speed, plug the given values into the formula:
v = u + (a × t)
v = 31 m/s + (-0.5 m/s² × 12.5 s)
v = 31 m/s - 6.25 m/s
v = 24.75 m/s
The correct answer is: C. 24.75 m/s. The bus's new speed after accelerating for 12.5 seconds is 24.75 m/s.