A motorcyclist sees a branch in the road, and slows down at -6.42 m/s?. If it takes them 2.85s to stop, what was their starting velocity?

Answer 1

To find the starting velocity of the motorcyclist, we can use the formula:

V = V0 + at,

Where:
V0 = initial velocity,
V = final velocity,
a = acceleration, and
t = time.

In this case, the final velocity (V) is 0 m/s since the motorcyclist stops. The acceleration (a) is -6.42 m/s² since the motorcyclist slows down at this rate. The time (t) is given as 2.85 s.

Plugging these values into the formula, we have:

0 = V0 + (-6.42)(2.85),

Simplifying the equation:

0 = V0 - 18.327.

Solving for V0, we see that:

V0 = 18.327 m/s.

Hence, the starting velocity of the motorcyclist was 18.327 m/s.