Question

with an average acceleration of -1.2 m/s^2, how long will it take a cyclist to bring a bicycle with an initial speed of 6.5 m/s to a complete stop?

Answer 1

\[\Delta v=at\]

Answer 2

Solve for t.

Answer 3

how would you do that?

Answer 4

Algebra.

Answer 5

v is the change in velocity, and a is the acceleration.
If v=at, then t=v/a

Answer 6

so basic alg?
what would be my v and t?

Answer 7

The change in velocity (speed) is final minus initial. Here, bringing to a stop means final speed=0, so the change in speed is 0 - 6.5 = -6.5
You divide that negative speed by the negative acceleration to get a positive value for time.

Answer 8

so my answer is 5.4m/s?

Answer 9

check your units. It's asking for how long, as in how much time. The units should be in seconds.