If a 1500 kg car stopped from an in 5.6 seconds with an applied force of 5000 N, how fast was it initially traveling?
a = F/m = -5000/1500 = -3.33 m/s^2
V = Vo + a*t = 0
Vo = -a*t = -(-3.33)*5.6 = 18.67 m/s.
To determine the initial velocity of the car, we can use Newton's second law of motion, which states that force is equal to mass multiplied by acceleration (F = m * a). Since the car is coming to a stop, its final velocity (Vf) will be 0 m/s. We can rearrange the formula to solve for acceleration (a) first.
F = m * a
a = F / m
Now, we know that the force applied (F) is 5000 N and the mass (m) of the car is 1500 kg. Plugging those values into the formula, we get:
a = 5000 N / 1500 kg
a = 3.33 m/s²
Next, using the formula of motion, we can determine the initial velocity (Vi) of the car.
Vf = Vi + (a * t)
Since Vf is 0 m/s, we have:
0 = Vi + (3.33 m/s² * 5.6 s)
Rearranging the formula to solve for Vi:
Vi = - (3.33 m/s² * 5.6 s)
Vi ≈ -18.65 m/s
Therefore, the initial velocity of the car was approximately -18.65 m/s. The negative sign indicates that the car was moving in the opposite direction.