Final answer:
The acceleration of the bicycle is calculated using the equation of motion v_f = v_i + a * t. Given the final velocity of 3.8 m/s and a time of 4.7 seconds, the acceleration is found to be 0.8085 m/s^2 eastward.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student was asked to calculate the acceleration of a bicycle when a child rides it from rest to a velocity of 3.8 m/s eastward in 4.7 seconds. To find the acceleration, we can use the following equation of motion which relates initial velocity (vi), final velocity (vf), acceleration (a), and time (t):
vf = vi + a * t
Since the initial velocity is from rest (vi = 0), the equation simplifies to:
vf = a * t
To solve for acceleration, we can rearrange the equation as follows:
a = vf / t
Plugging in the known values:
a = 3.8 m/s / 4.7 s
a = 0.8085 m/s2
Therefore, the acceleration of the bicycle is 0.8085 m/s2, directed eastward.