Physlet Illustration: Full Speed Ahead

 

 

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Accleration = m/s2 Initial Velocity = m/s 

 
A 1967 Mustang is in a 500 m race.  Knowing its speed at the beginning of the 500 meters and its acceleration, can you determine what its speed will be at the end?  Try various accelerations (0 m/s2 < a < 5 m/s2) and initial velocities (0 m/s < 15 m/s) and use the constant-acceleration equations to determine the final velocity.

Hints

  1. Can you determine the time it takes the car to travel the 500 m?
  2. Can you use the travel time to determine the final velocity?
  3. Try to use the velocity as a function of position equation to determine the final speed in one step.

Reference

See Walker, Section 2-5

Illustration written by Chuck Niederriter