A 1,000-kilogram car traveling with a velocity of +20. meters per second decelerates uniformly at -5.0 meters per second squared until it comes to rest. What is the total distance the car travels as it decelerates to rest? A) 40.m B)20.m C) 10.m D) 80.m
Starting at 20m/s and losing 5m/s of speed every second, it takes (20/5) = 4 seconds to stop.
The car's average speed during that time is (1/2)(20+0) = 10m/s.
At an average speed of 10m/s for 4s, it travels (10 x 4) = 40 meters.
The car's mass doesn't matter. With the same initial speed and acceleration, the distance traveled would be the same for a car, a leaf, or a battleship.
