Math Problem Statement

A car traveling at 6.1 m/s increases its speed to 36.5 m/s in 9.9 s. What assumption can be made about the acceleration of the car?

Solution

The question asks us to determine the assumption that can be made about the car's acceleration as it changes speed from 6.1 m/s to 36.5 m/s over 9.9 seconds.

Step-by-Step Solution:

  1. Understand the problem: The car's velocity increases uniformly over the given time. The assumption is typically about the nature of the acceleration.

  2. Key formula: Use the equation for constant acceleration: a=vfvita = \frac{v_f - v_i}{t} Where:

    • vf=36.5m/sv_f = 36.5 \, \text{m/s} (final velocity),
    • vi=6.1m/sv_i = 6.1 \, \text{m/s} (initial velocity),
    • t=9.9secondst = 9.9 \, \text{seconds} (time interval),
    • aa is the acceleration.
  3. Substitute the values: a=36.56.19.9=30.49.93.07m/s2a = \frac{36.5 - 6.1}{9.9} = \frac{30.4}{9.9} \approx 3.07 \, \text{m/s}^2

  4. Assumption:

    • The car has a constant acceleration during this time. This is implied because the question asks about acceleration without mentioning changes in the rate of acceleration. This constant value is approximately 3.07m/s23.07 \, \text{m/s}^2.

Final Answer:

The assumption is that the car's acceleration is uniform (constant) over the 9.9 seconds.

Would you like a deeper explanation or have any related questions?


Related Questions:

  1. How does non-uniform acceleration differ from uniform acceleration?
  2. What happens to the distance traveled by the car during this time?
  3. Can this problem be solved graphically using a velocity-time graph?
  4. How would air resistance affect the acceleration assumption?
  5. What formulas can be used to find the distance covered during this interval?

Tip:

Always verify whether the question specifies uniform or variable acceleration. If not, constant acceleration is often the default assumption in physics problems.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Kinematics
Uniform Acceleration

Formulas

a = (vf - vi) / t

Theorems

Kinematic Equation for Constant Acceleration

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11