Math Problem Statement

  1. A car accelerates at 2.10m/s2 along a straight road. It passes two marks that are 26.9m apart at times t=4.20s and t=5.00s. What was the car's velocity at t=0?

Solution

To solve for the car's velocity at t=0t = 0, we can use the equations of uniformly accelerated motion. Given dataTo solve for the car's velocity at t=0t = 0, we can use the equations of uniformly accelerated motion. Given

  • Acceleration a=2.10m/s2a = 2.10 \, \text{m/s}^2
  • The distance between two points Δx=26.9m\Delta x = 26.9 \, \text{m}
  • Time at the first mark t1=4.20st_1 = 4.20 \, \text{s}
  • Time at the second mark t2=5.00st_2 = 5.00 \, \text{s}

Step 1: Average Velocity Between Two Marks

The average velocity vavgv_{\text{avg}} between the two times t1t_1 and t2t_2 can be calculated as:

vavg=ΔxΔtv_{\text{avg}} = \frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}

where:

Δx=26.9m,Δt=t2t1=5.00s4.20s=0.80s\Delta x = 26.9 \, \text{m}, \quad \Delta t = t_2 - t_1 = 5.00 \, \text{s} - 4.20 \, \text{s} = 0.80 \, \text{s}

So:

vavg=26.90.80=33.625m/sv_{\text{avg}} = \frac{26.9}{0.80} = 33.625 \, \text{m/s}

Step 2: Average Velocity in Terms of Initial and Final Velocity

The average velocity during a time interval is also related to the initial and final velocities by:

vavg=v1+v22v_{\text{avg}} = \frac{v_1 + v_2}{2}

where v1v_1 is the velocity at t1t_1 and v2v_2 is the velocity at t2t_2.

Step 3: Express Final and Initial Velocities

Since the car is accelerating uniformly, we can use the following equation to express the final velocity v2v_2 at t2t_2:

v2=v1+aΔtv_2 = v_1 + a \Delta t

where a=2.10m/s2a = 2.10 \, \text{m/s}^2 and Δt=0.80s\Delta t = 0.80 \, \text{s}.

So:

v2=v1+2.10×0.80=v1+1.68m/sv_2 = v_1 + 2.10 \times 0.80 = v_1 + 1.68 \, \text{m/s}

Step 4: Set Up Equation and Solve for v1v_1

Now substitute into the equation for average velocity:

33.625=v1+(v1+1.68)233.625 = \frac{v_1 + (v_1 + 1.68)}{2}

Simplify:

33.625=2v1+1.68233.625 = \frac{2v_1 + 1.68}{2}

Multiply both sides by 2:

67.25=2v1+1.6867.25 = 2v_1 + 1.68

Solve for v1v_1:

2v1=67.251.68=65.572v_1 = 67.25 - 1.68 = 65.57

v1=65.572=32.785m/sv_1 = \frac{65.57}{2} = 32.785 \, \text{m/s}

This is the velocity of the car at t1=4.20st_1 = 4.20 \, \text{s}.

Step 5: Find Velocity at t=0t = 0

To find the velocity at t=0t = 0, we can use the equation of motion:

v1=v0+at1v_1 = v_0 + a t_1

where v0v_0 is the velocity at t=0t = 0. Rearranging this equation to solve for v0v_0:

v0=v1at1v_0 = v_1 - a t_1

Substitute the known values:

v0=32.7852.10×4.20v_0 = 32.785 - 2.10 \times 4.20

v0=32.7858.82=23.965m/sv_0 = 32.785 - 8.82 = 23.965 \, \text{m/s}

Thus, the velocity at t=0t = 0 is approximately:

v023.97m/sv_0 \approx 23.97 \, \text{m/s}

Final Answer:

The car's velocity at t=0t = 0 is 23.97m/s23.97 \, \text{m/s}.


Would you like further clarification on any part of the solution? Here are some related questions you might consider:

  1. How do you derive the equation for uniformly accelerated motion?
  2. What would happen to the initial velocity if the acceleration were negative?
  3. How does the time difference between marks affect the velocity calculation?
  4. Can we find the position of the car at t=0t = 0 given this data?
  5. How can we apply this method to non-constant acceleration?

Tip: Remember that average velocity during uniform acceleration is always the midpoint between the initial and final velocities.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Kinematics
Uniform Acceleration
Linear Motion

Formulas

v_avg = Δx / Δt
v_avg = (v1 + v2) / 2
v2 = v1 + a * Δt
v1 = v0 + a * t1

Theorems

Equations of motion under constant acceleration

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12