What is the calculated acceleration if a car stops from 35 m/s in 3 seconds?

Prepare for the FAA Aviation Physics Test with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations. Access exam tips and practice materials to ace your test!

To find the acceleration of the car as it comes to a stop, you can use the formula for acceleration, which is the change in velocity divided by the time over which that change occurs. In this scenario, the initial velocity of the car is 35 m/s (as it is traveling before it stops), and the final velocity is 0 m/s (as it comes to a complete stop).

The change in velocity can be calculated as follows:

[ \text{Change in velocity} = \text{Final velocity} - \text{Initial velocity} = 0 , \text{m/s} - 35 , \text{m/s} = -35 , \text{m/s} ]

This indicates a decrease in speed, which is why the change is negative.

Next, you apply the time over which this change occurs, which is 3 seconds. Thus, acceleration can be calculated using the formula:

[ a = \frac{\text{Change in velocity}}{\text{Time}} = \frac{-35 , \text{m/s}}{3 , \text{s}} \approx -11.67 , \text{m/s}^2 \

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy