A cyclist going downhill is accelerating at 1.2 m/s2. If the final velocity of the cyclist is 16 m/s after 10 seconds, what is the cyclist’s initial velocity?
4 m/s
12 m/s
18 m/s
20 m/s
To find the initial velocity of the cyclist, we can use the equation of motion:
Vf = Vi + at
Where:
Vf = final velocity = 16 m/s
Vi = initial velocity
a = acceleration = 1.2 m/s^2
t = time = 10 seconds
Plugging in the values:
16 = Vi + 1.2(10)
16 = Vi + 12
Vi = 16 - 12
Vi = 4 m/s
Therefore, the cyclist's initial velocity was 4 m/s.
So the correct answer is:
4 m/s