Question
A cyclist going downhill is accelerating at
. If the final velocity of the cyclist is
after 10 seconds, what is
the cyclist’s initial velocity?
.
the cyclist’s initial velocity?
.
Ask by Love Bolton. in the United States
Mar 24,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
The cyclist’s initial velocity is
.
Solution
Given the kinematic equation
we are given:
We need to find the initial velocity
. Rearranging the equation gives
Substitute the values:
Calculate:
Thus, the cyclist’s initial velocity is
.
Answered by UpStudy AI and reviewed by a Professional Tutor
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The Deep Dive
To find the cyclist’s initial velocity, we can use the equation of motion:
Where:
-
is the final velocity (16 m/s) -
is the initial velocity (what we’re trying to find) -
is the acceleration (1.2 m/s²) -
is the time (10 s)
Substituting the known values into the equation:
Now, solving for
:
So the cyclist’s initial velocity is
.
Did you know that the laws of motion, like the one we just used, were formulated by Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th century? His work laid the groundwork for classical mechanics and fundamentally changed our understanding of movement, influencing everything from engineering to space travel!
For anyone curious to dive deeper, there are plenty of engaging resources available! Consider checking out “The Physics of Bicycles” or “Newton’s Laws of Motion” textbooks that blend history and application in a fun way. You might even find detailed examples that relate to biking and other everyday activities!