Chapter 4: Problem 32
Starting at station \(\mathrm{A}\), a commuter train accelerates at 3 meters per second per second for 8 seconds, then travels at constant speed \(v_{m}\) for 100 seconds, and finally brakes (decelerates) to a stop at station \(\mathrm{B}\) at 4 meters per second per second. Find (a) \(v_{m}\) and (b) the distance between \(\mathrm{A}\) and \(\mathrm{B}\).
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Calculate velocity after acceleration
Calculate distance during acceleration
Calculate distance at constant speed
Calculate distance during deceleration
Calculate total distance between stations
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Acceleration
- The formula to calculate acceleration is: \[ a = \frac{{\Delta v}}{{\Delta t}} \]Here, \( \Delta v \) is the change in velocity, and \( \Delta t \) is the time period over which this change occurs.
- Acceleration can be positive, which means an increase in speed, or negative (also known as deceleration), which indicates a decrease in speed.
- In the exercise, the train starts from rest (initial velocity \( u = 0 \)) and accelerates at \( 3 \text{ m/s}^2 \) for 8 seconds. This results in a change in velocity (\( \Delta v \)) to \( 24 \text{ m/s} \).
- It's important to understand that acceleration doesn't just apply to increases in speed; it's any change in velocity, including slowing down or changing direction.
Velocity
- The formula for calculating velocity after a period of constant acceleration is: \[ v = u + at \]Where \( v \) is the final velocity, \( u \) is the initial velocity, \( a \) is the acceleration, and \( t \) is the time.
- In the problem, once the train reaches its maximum speed after acceleration, this constant speed \( v_m \) is \( 24 \text{ m/s} \), which it maintains for a certain period.
- Velocity is crucial in determining how long it will take to travel a certain distance with constant speed.
Distance Calculation
- To calculate the distance during acceleration, the formula is: \[ s = ut + \frac{1}{2} a t^2 \]Where \( s \) is the distance, \( u \) is the initial velocity, \( a \) is the acceleration, and \( t \) is the time.
- For a period of constant speed, the distance is calculated using: \[ s = vt \]Here, \( v \) is the velocity and \( t \) is the time.
- These formulas help you calculate how far an object traveled during various phases of motion. In the example, the train travels an extra 2400 meters at a constant speed after accelerating.
- Always consider each phase of motion separately to get the most accurate distance calculations.
Deceleration
- The formula to calculate deceleration when stopping is the same as for acceleration: \[ v^2 = u^2 + 2as \]Where \( v \) is the final velocity, \( u \) is the initial velocity, \( a \) is the deceleration, and \( s \) is the stopping distance.
- In the current exercise, the train decelerates at \( -4 \text{ m/s}^2 \) until coming to a rest, which requires calculating the stopping distance.
- Note that deceleration can never cause an object to go faster in its initial direction, unlike acceleration.
- Understanding deceleration is crucial for accurately predicting how long it takes for an object to stop moving once it begins slowing down.