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A subway train starts from rest at a station and accelerates at a rate of 1.60 m/s\(^2\) for 14.0 s. It runs at constant speed for 70.0 s and slows down at a rate of 3.50 m/s\(^2\) until it stops at the next station. Find the total distance covered.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The total distance covered by the train is 1796.48 meters.

Step by step solution

01

Calculate acceleration distance

Using the formula for distance covered under constant acceleration, \( s = ut + \frac{1}{2} a t^2 \), where \( u = 0 \) (initial velocity), \( a = 1.60 \text{ m/s}^2 \), and \( t = 14.0 \text{ s} \), we calculate the distance: \[s = 0 + \frac{1}{2} \times 1.60 \times (14)^2 = 0.80 \times 196 = 156.8 \text{ m}. \]This is the distance covered during acceleration.
02

Calculate constant speed

After accelerating, the train reaches a constant speed. We find this speed using the formula \( v = u + at \). Since \( u = 0 \text{ m/s} \), \( a = 1.60 \text{ m/s}^2 \), and \( t = 14.0 \text{ s} \), it becomes:\[v = 0 + 1.60 \times 14 = 22.4 \text{ m/s}. \]This is the speed at which the train travels during the next phase.
03

Calculate distance traveled at constant speed

Using the distance formula for constant speed \( s = v \times t \), where \( v = 22.4 \text{ m/s} \) and \( t = 70.0 \text{ s} \), we find the distance:\[s = 22.4 \times 70 = 1568 \text{ m}.\]This is the distance covered while traveling at constant speed.
04

Calculate deceleration distance

Using the formula \( s = ut + \frac{1}{2} a t^2 \) for deceleration, where \( v = 0 \) (final velocity), \( a = -3.50 \text{ m/s}^2 \), and using, \( v^2 = u^2 + 2as \) to find \( s \), initially:\[0 = (22.4)^2 + 2(-3.50)s \to s = \frac{(22.4)^2}{2 \times 3.50} = \frac{501.76}{7} = 71.68 \text{ m}.\]This is the distance over which the train decelerates.
05

Calculate total distance covered

Add the distances from all three phases: acceleration, constant speed, and deceleration. \[\text{Total distance} = 156.8 + 1568 + 71.68 = 1796.48 \text{ m}.\]This is the total distance covered by the train.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Constant Acceleration
When an object speeds up steadily, it is said to be under constant acceleration. In the given exercise, our subway train starts from rest and accelerates at a constant rate of 1.60 m/sy^2 for a time of 14.0 seconds. This constant acceleration means that every second, the train's velocity increases by 1.60 m/s.
To calculate the distance covered during this period of constant acceleration, we use the formula for distance: \[ s = ut + \frac{1}{2} a t^2 \] Given that the initial velocity \( u \) is zero, the effect is straightforward—the distance increases proportionally to the square of the time and the rate of acceleration. This formula is essential for any scenario involving motion in a straight line with constant acceleration.
You could visualize this phase as a segment of time where the train picks up speed smoothly and steadily. The total distance during this phase was calculated to be 156.8 meters.
Deceleration
Deceleration is similar to acceleration but involves slowing down instead of speeding up. It's also known as negative acceleration. The train undergoes deceleration as it approaches the next station. Here, the rate of deceleration is 3.50 m/sy^2.
The main point about deceleration is that it results in a decrease in velocity over time until the train stops. In our calculation, it was crucial to understand that despite the train moving initially at a speed of 22.4 m/s, deceleration reduced this speed to zero.
To find the distance the train travels while decelerating, we use the equation: \[ v^2 = u^2 + 2as \] Rearranging it allows us to solve for \( s \), giving us the distance during deceleration as 71.68 meters. Just like with acceleration, this formula helps us understand the dynamics of slowing down effectively.
Distance Covered
Calculating the total distance covered involves adding the distances traversed during each phase of motion: acceleration, constant speed, and deceleration. We've already calculated each separate distance based on the motion characteristics specific to each phase.
  • Acceleration Distance: 156.8 meters
  • Constant Speed Distance: 1568 meters
  • Deceleration Distance: 71.68 meters
Adding these values provides the total path traveled by the subway train: 1796.48 meters. Each segment of the journey contributes to this figure, giving a complete picture of motion from start to finish.

The understanding of how to break down the journey into manageable parts is crucial for solving problems in physics related to motion.
Velocity Calculation
Velocity is a key concept in kinematics. It differs from speed in that it's a vector, which means it has both magnitude and direction. In the problem, calculating the velocity during acceleration was necessary to determine how fast the train travels as it transitions from rest.
Using the equation of motion: \[ v = u + at \] we find the final velocity after acceleration. This calculation showed that the velocity reached by the train was 22.4 m/s after 14 seconds of constant acceleration. This velocity became the train's speed during its constant speed phase.
Velocity calculations aren't just limited to the acceleration phase but play a role in determining how motion progresses into the next stages. Understanding velocity empowers one to predict subsequent motion patterns effectively.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

An antelope moving with constant acceleration covers the distance between two points 70.0 m apart in 6.00 s. Its speed as it passes the second point is 15.0 m/s. What are (a) its speed at the first point and (b) its acceleration?

A pilot who accelerates at more than 4\(g\) begins to "gray out" but doesn't completely lose consciousness. (a) Assuming constant acceleration, what is the shortest time that a jet pilot starting from rest can take to reach Mach 4 (four times the speed of sound) without graying out? (b) How far would the plane travel during this period of acceleration? (Use 331 m/s for the speed of sound in cold air.)

A brick is dropped from the roof of a tall building. After it has been falling for a few seconds, it falls 40.0 m in a 1.00-s time interval. What distance will it fall during the next 1.00 s? Ignore air resistance.

An entertainer juggles balls while doing other activities. In one act, she throws a ball vertically upward, and while it is in the air, she runs to and from a table 5.50 m away at an average speed of 3.00 m/s, returning just in time to catch the falling ball. (a) With what minimum initial speed must she throw the ball upward to accomplish this feat? (b) How high above its initial position is the ball just as she reaches the table?

At the instant the traffic light turns green, a car that has been waiting at an intersection starts ahead with a constant acceleration of 2.80 m/s\(^2\). At the same instant a truck, traveling with a constant speed of 20.0 m/s, overtakes and passes the car. (a) How far beyond its starting point does the car overtake the truck? (b) How fast is the car traveling when it overtakes the truck? (c) Sketch an \(x-t\) graph of the motion of both vehicles. Take \(x=\) 0 at the intersection. (d) Sketch a \(v_x-t\) graph of the motion of both vehicles.

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