Question

Dave is riding on a straight path. After 5 s, his speed is 3.0 m/s. After 7 s, his speed is 5.0 m/s. After 10 s, speed is 7.0 m/s. What was his acceleration from 5 s to 10 s?

Answer 1

The acceleration is `0.8` meters per second per second.

Explanation:

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.

His acceleration from `"5 s"` to `"10 s"` is the rate at which he changes from `"3 m/s"` to `"7 m/s"`.

The change in velocity `= "7 m/s" - "3 m/s" = "4 m/s"`

It changes by `"4 m/s"` in `5` seconds, so the rate at which it changes per second is

`"4 m/s"/"5 s" = "0.8 m/s"^2`

Hence the acceleration is `0.8` meters per second per second.