A runner accelerates to a velocity of 5.28 m/s due west in 3 s. His average acceleration is 0.635 m/s2, also directed due west. What was his velocity when he began accelerating?
Multiply 0.635 m/s2 by 3 s to get the velocity change: 1.905 m/s
You can do the rest.
V2 - V1 = 0.635*3 = 1.905 m/s
V2 = 5.28 m/s
Solve for V1.
V1 = 5.28 - 1.905 = ? m/s
To find the initial velocity of the runner, we can use the formula for average acceleration:
average acceleration = (final velocity - initial velocity) / time
Given that the average acceleration is 0.635 m/s², the final velocity is 5.28 m/s, and the time is 3 seconds, we can rearrange the formula to solve for the initial velocity:
initial velocity = final velocity - (average acceleration * time)
Substituting the known values:
initial velocity = 5.28 m/s - (0.635 m/s² * 3 s)
Calculating the expression within the parentheses:
initial velocity = 5.28 m/s - 1.905 m/s
Finally, we can subtract:
initial velocity = 3.375 m/s
Therefore, the runner's velocity when he began accelerating was 3.375 m/s due west.