Question

2) If you drive your car at a CONSTANT speed of 30mph for 35 seconds, what is the acceleration for the trip?

**Be sure to show your work and include units for your final answer.**

(3 points)

Answer 1

To determine the acceleration for the trip, we need to first understand the definition of acceleration. Acceleration is defined as the change in velocity over time. It can be calculated with the formula:

\[
a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}
\]

where:
- \( a \) is acceleration,
- \( \Delta v \) is the change in velocity, and
- \( \Delta t \) is the time interval over which the change occurs.

In this scenario:
1. The car is driving at a constant speed of 30 mph.
2. Since the speed is constant, there is no change in velocity; therefore, \( \Delta v = 0 \).

Given that the time \( \Delta t = 35 \) seconds, we can substitute these values into the acceleration formula:

\[
a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t} = \frac{0 \text{ mph}}{35 \text{ seconds}}
\]

\[
a = 0 \text{ mph/s}
\]

Thus, the acceleration for the trip is:

\[
\boxed{0 \text{ mph/s}}
\]

This means that the car is not accelerating; it is moving at a constant speed throughout the entire duration of the trip.