Question

The bunny is initially hopping east at 7 m/s when it first sees the fox. Over the next half second the bunny changes its velocity to west at 12 m/s and escapes. What was the bunny's average acceleration (magnitude and direction) during this half-second interval?

Answer 1

If velocity and acceleration are considered positive in the east direction,

DeltaV = [-12 -7] = -19 m/s

acceleration = DeltaV/t = -19/(1/2)
= -38 m/s^2

Magnitude = 38 m/s^2, direction = west