The velocity of a car traveling north decreases from 20 m/s to 12 m/s in 32 seconds. What is the acceleration of the car? I answered it as 0.25 m/s^2 North. Is this correct?
(12-20 m/s)/(32s) = -8/32 = -0.25 m/s^2
However, as the car was going north and slowed down, its acceleration was in the south direction.
To find the acceleration of the car, use the formula:
acceleration = (final velocity - initial velocity) / time
Given:
Initial velocity (u) = 20 m/s
Final velocity (v) = 12 m/s
Time (t) = 32 seconds
Substituting the given values into the formula:
acceleration = (12 m/s - 20 m/s) / 32 seconds
acceleration = (-8 m/s) / 32 seconds
acceleration = -0.25 m/s²
So, the acceleration of the car is -0.25 m/s².
Note that the negative sign indicates that the velocity of the car is decreasing. In this case, since the car is traveling north, the negative sign means that the car is slowing down in the northward direction. Thus, your answer of 0.25 m/s² North is correct.