Using the Kinematics Spreadsheet

Example 3

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Question :

"A car is initially moving at 20 m/s when the driver applies her brakes. If the brakes can decelerate the car at 6 m/s², how long will it take the car to stop, and how far will it travel in this time?"

Solution:

To solve the problem, you need th set the initial velocity of the car (in cell B7) to 20 m/s and the acceleration of the car (in cell B3) to -6 m/s².

Notice that the car stops sometime between 3 and 4 seconds after the brakes are applied. You can decrease the time interval (in cell B4) to get a more precise time. To extend the spreadsheet, use "Fill Down" from the Calculate menu.

 

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last update September 15, 2000 by JL Stanbrough