Higher questions
Question
A car can accelerate from 22 m/s to 30 m/s in 4 seconds. Calculate the acceleration of the car.
Final velocity v = 30 m/s.
Initial velocity u = 22 m/s.
The final velocity v – initial velocity u = 30 m/s – 22 m/s
= 8 m/s.
The acceleration = (final velocity v – initial velocity u) ÷ time = 8 m/s ÷ 4 s = 2 m/s2.
The acceleration of the car is 2 m/s2.
Question
A motorcycle goes from rest (0 m/s) to 40 m/s in 8 seconds. Calculate the acceleration.
Final velocity v = 40 m/s.
Initial velocity u = 0 m/s.
The final velocity v – initial velocity u = 40 m/s – 0 m/s
= 40 m/s.
The acceleration = (final velocity v – initial velocity u) ÷ time = 40 m/s ÷ 8 s = 5 m/s2.
The acceleration of the motorcycle is 5 m/s2.
Question
While riding his bike, Jacob brakes and slows from 11 m/s to 3 m/s in 2 seconds. Calculate Jacob’s acceleration.
Final velocity v = 3 m/s.
Initial velocity u = 11 m/s.
The final velocity v – initial velocity u = 3 m/s – 11 m/s
= -8 m/s.
The acceleration = (final velocity v – initial velocity u) ÷ time = -8 m/s ÷ 2 s = -4 m/s2.
Jacob has an acceleration of -4 m/s2 (or a retardation of 4 m/s2).