A car starts from rest at a traffic signal and follows the time schedule given below…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A car starts from rest at a traffic signal and follows the time schedule given below while moving along a straight road:
• It accelerates uniformly at 1.5m s−2 for 8s.
• It then travels with the constant speed attained for the next 12s.
• Finally, the driver applies the brakes, producing a constant retardation of 2.5m s−2 until the car comes to rest.
Taking the starting point as the origin and the positive x-direction as the direction of motion, answer the following:
(a) Find the maximum speed attained.
(b) Calculate the distance covered in each stage.
(c) Determine the total displacement for the complete journey.