43. Finding final velocity from variable acceleration:

A car accelerates from rest at 3 m/s² for 4 seconds, then continues at a constant velocity for 5 seconds, and finally decelerates at 2 m/s² for 3 seconds. What is its final velocity?



Answer :

Let's break down the problem into three phases and calculate the velocity at each key moment.

### Phase 1: Acceleration

1. The car starts from rest (initial velocity \( v_{\text{initial}} = 0 \) m/s).
2. It accelerates at a rate of \( 3 \) m/s² for \( 4 \) seconds.

To find the velocity at the end of this phase, use the formula for velocity under constant acceleration:

[tex]\[ v = u + at \][/tex]

where:
- \( v \) is the final velocity after acceleration,
- \( u \) is the initial velocity,
- \( a \) is the acceleration,
- \( t \) is the time.

Substituting the given values:

[tex]\[ v = 0 + 3 \times 4 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ v = 12 \text{ m/s} \][/tex]

At the end of the acceleration phase, the velocity of the car is \( 12 \) m/s.

### Phase 2: Constant Velocity

1. After accelerating, the car continues at a constant velocity of \( 12 \) m/s for \( 5 \) seconds.

Since the velocity remains constant, at the end of this phase, the velocity is still \( 12 \) m/s.

### Phase 3: Deceleration

1. The car then decelerates at a rate of \( -2 \) m/s² (negative because it's deceleration) for \( 3 \) seconds.

To find the velocity at the end of this phase, use the same formula for velocity under constant acceleration:

[tex]\[ v = u + at \][/tex]

where:
- \( v \) is the final velocity after deceleration,
- \( u \) is the initial velocity (which is now \( 12 \) m/s from Phase 2),
- \( a \) is the deceleration (\( -2 \) m/s²),
- \( t \) is the time.

Substituting the given values:

[tex]\[ v = 12 + (-2) \times 3 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ v = 12 - 6 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ v = 6 \text{ m/s} \][/tex]

At the end of the deceleration phase, the final velocity of the car is \( 6 \) m/s.

### Summary

The car's final velocity after accelerating from rest, moving at a constant speed, and then decelerating is [tex]\( 6 \)[/tex] m/s.

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