A cyclist accelerates from 0 m/s to 8 m/s in 3 seconds. What is his acceleration ls this acceleration higher than that of a car which accelerates from 0 to 30 m/s in 8 seconds?

1 Answer
Jan 1, 2017

Cyclist: #a="3 m/s"^2"#

Car: #a="4 m/s"^2"#

Explanation:

Acceleration is the rate at which velocity changes over time.

#a=(v_f-v_i)/(t_f-t_i)=(Deltav)/(Deltat)#, where #v_f# is final velocity,

#v_i# is initial velocity, #t_f# is final time, #t_i# is initial time,

#Deltav=(v_f-v_i)#, and #Deltat=(t_f-t_i)#

Acceleration of Cyclist

#Deltav=8"m/s"-0"m/s"="8 m/s"#

#Deltat="3 s"#

#a=(8"m/s")/(3"s")="3 m/s/s"="3 m/s"^2"# rounded to one signifiicant figure.

Acceleration of Car

#Deltav="30 m/s"-"0 m/s"="30 m/s"#

#Deltat="8 s"#

#a=(30"m/s")/(8"s")="4 m/s/s"="4 m/s"^2"# (rounded to one significant figure)

The acceleration of the car is greater than the acceleration of the cyclist.