Math Problem Statement

A car accelerates to a velocity of 80 m/s in 15 s, by which time it had traveled 450 m. What were its average and initial velocities?

Solution

To find the average velocity (vavgv_{\text{avg}}) and the initial velocity (v0v_0) of the car, we can use the following kinematic equations:

  1. Average velocity formula: vavg=total distancetotal timev_{\text{avg}} = \frac{\text{total distance}}{\text{total time}} where:

    • total distance = 450 m,
    • total time = 15 s.
  2. Displacement equation for uniformly accelerated motion: d=v0t+12at2d = v_0 t + \frac{1}{2} a t^2 where:

    • dd is the displacement (450 m),
    • v0v_0 is the initial velocity (unknown),
    • tt is the time (15 s),
    • aa is the acceleration (which we'll need to find).
  3. Final velocity formula: vf=v0+atv_f = v_0 + a t where:

    • vfv_f is the final velocity (80 m/s),
    • aa is the acceleration,
    • tt is the time (15 s).

Step 1: Find the average velocity

Using the average velocity formula: vavg=45015=30m/sv_{\text{avg}} = \frac{450}{15} = 30 \, \text{m/s}

Step 2: Find the acceleration

We can rearrange the final velocity formula to solve for acceleration (aa): a=vfv0ta = \frac{v_f - v_0}{t} But we first need to solve for v0v_0 using the displacement equation.

Step 3: Solve for initial velocity v0v_0

Using the displacement equation: 450=v0×15+12a×152450 = v_0 \times 15 + \frac{1}{2} a \times 15^2

Now, using the final velocity equation vf=v0+atv_f = v_0 + a t to substitute a=80v015a = \frac{80 - v_0}{15} into the displacement equation: 450=15v0+12×80v015×152450 = 15v_0 + \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{80 - v_0}{15} \times 15^2 Simplifying: 450=15v0+12×(80v0)×15450 = 15v_0 + \frac{1}{2} \times (80 - v_0) \times 15 450=15v0+7.5×(80v0)450 = 15v_0 + 7.5 \times (80 - v_0) 450=15v0+6007.5v0450 = 15v_0 + 600 - 7.5v_0 450=7.5v0+600450 = 7.5v_0 + 600 450600=7.5v0450 - 600 = 7.5v_0 150=7.5v0-150 = 7.5v_0 v0=1507.5=20m/sv_0 = \frac{-150}{7.5} = -20 \, \text{m/s}

Thus, the initial velocity v0=20m/sv_0 = -20 \, \text{m/s}, meaning the car started in reverse and then accelerated forward.

Summary:

  • Average velocity: 30m/s30 \, \text{m/s}
  • Initial velocity: 20m/s-20 \, \text{m/s}

Would you like more details, or do you have any questions?

Relative Questions:

  1. What is the formula for average velocity in uniformly accelerated motion?
  2. How can we calculate displacement when initial velocity and acceleration are known?
  3. How does the sign of velocity indicate the direction of motion?
  4. What is the role of acceleration in changing the velocity of an object?
  5. How does uniform acceleration differ from variable acceleration?

Tip:

In kinematics problems, keep track of signs for velocity and acceleration carefully, as they indicate direction of motion.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Kinematics
Uniformly Accelerated Motion
Displacement
Velocity

Formulas

v_{avg} = \frac{d}{t}
d = v_0 t + \frac{1}{2} a t^2
v_f = v_0 + a t

Theorems

Kinematic Equations of Motion

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12