A car starts from rest at a stop sign. It accelerates at 3.0 m/s2 for 5.0 s, coasts for 2.1 s, and then slows down at a rate of 2.3 m/s2 for the next stop sign. How far apart are the stop signs? (The car comes to a complete stop at the second stop sign.)
I know that I have to divide it up into three legs but not having a time for the third leg is throwing me off. Please help me get started. Thanks
I know that I have to divide it up into three legs but not having a time for the third leg is throwing me off. Please help me get started. Thanks
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You first need to find out how fast the car is going, so you need to solve the first part first. Given the rate of acceleration and the time, you can calculate the speed. Then, assume it does not lose any speed coasting. Then, given the rate of deceleration, you can calculate how long it takes to stop from the speed you calculated in the first part.