Question

A car accelerates from rest to a velocity of 5 meters/second in 4 seconds. What is its average acceleration over this period of time?
A.
Its acceleration is 1.25 meters/second.
B.
Its acceleration is 5 meters/second.
C.
Its acceleration is 0.8 meters/second.
D.
Its acceleration is 1.25 meters/second2.
E.
Its acceleration is 20 meters.

Answer 1

\( a = \dfrac{\Delta v }{\Delta t} = \dfrac{ v_f - v_i}{t}\)

In 4 seconds (this is your 't')
The car accelerated from 0 meters per second (it was at rest so this is your initial velocity \(v_i\)
and it reached a velocity of 5 meters per second (this is your final velocity \(v_f\))

Can you solve for the acceleration now?