The average velocity can be calculated using the formula:
v = d / t
For the 1st car, the velocity is calculated
as:
v1 = 8.60 m / 1.80 s = 4.78 m / s
While that of the 2nd car is:
v2 = 8.60 m / 1.66 s = 5.18 m / s
Now we can solve for the acceleration using the formula:
v2^2 = v1^2 + 2 a d
Rewriting in terms of a:
a = (v2^2 – v1^2) / 2 d
a = (5.18^2 – 4.78^2) / (2 * 8.6)
a = 0.23 m/s
Therefore the train has a constant acceleration of about
0.23 meters per second.
