Question

An airplane flying at a velocity of 610 m/s lands and comes to a complete stop over a 53 second period of time.

Did this airplane speed up or slow down?
Should your answer be positive or negative? Explain your reasoning.
Calculate the acceleration of the plane.

Answer 1

a = - 11.53[m/s^2]

Step-by-step explanation:

The airplane slows down as its speed decreases from the initial value of 610 [m/s] to zero.

To calculate the acceleration value we use the following kinematics equation:

`v_(f) = v_(i)+(a*t)\\`

where:

Vf = final velocity = 0

Vi = initial velocity = 610 [m/s]

a = acceleration [m/s2]

t = time = 53 [s]

Now replacing:

0 = 610 + (a*53)

-610 = 53*a

a = - 11.53[m/s^2]

The negative sign means that the aircraft is losing speed, i.e. slowing down