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Textbook Solutions for Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics

Chapter 2 Problem 64P

Question

When a 1984 Alfa Romeo Spider sports car accelerates at the maximum possible rate, its motion during the first \(20 \mathrm{~s}\) is extremely well modeled by the simple equation

\(v_{x}^{2}=\frac{2 P}{m} t\)

where \(P=3.6 \times 10^{4}\) watts is the car's power output, \(m=1200 \mathrm{~kg}\) is its mass, and \(v_{x}\) is in \(m / s\).

That is, the square of the car's velocity increases linearly with time.

a. What is the car's speed at \(t=10 \mathrm{~s}\) and at \(t=20 \mathrm{~s}\)?

b. Find an algebraic expression in terms of \(P, m\), and \(t\), for the car's acceleration at time \(t\)

c. Evaluate the acceleration at \(t=1 \mathrm{~s}$ and \(t=10 \mathrm{~s}\).

d. This simple model fails for \(t\) less than about \(0.5 \mathrm{~s}\). Explain how you can recognize the failure.

Solution

Step 1 of 4

(a)

We have to find the car's speed at \(t=10 \mathrm{~s}\) and \(t=20 \mathrm{~s}\).

The speed of the car can be calculated using the equation.

                                                  \(v_{x}^{2}=\frac{2 P}{m} t\)

Where,

                                                   \(P=3.6 \times 10^{4} \text { watts }\)

                                                    \(m=1200 \mathrm{~kg}\)

Thus, the speed of the car at \(t=10 \mathrm{~s}\) and \(t=20 \mathrm{~s}\) are given by

                                                     \(v_{x}(t=10 \mathrm{~s}) =\sqrt{\frac{2 P}{m}} t\)

                                                     \(=\sqrt{\frac{2 \times 3.6 \times 10^{4}}{1200}(10)}\)

                                                     \(=24.5 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\)

                                                     \(v_{x}(t=20 \mathrm{~s})=\sqrt{\frac{2 P}{m}} t\)

                                                      \(=\sqrt{\frac{2 \times 3.6 \times 10^{4}}{1200}(20)}\)

                                                      \(=10.95 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\)

Therefore, the speed of the car at \(t=10 \mathrm{~s}\) and \(t=20 \mathrm{~s}\) are \(24.5 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\) and \(10.95 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\) respectively.

 

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Title Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics 3 
Author Randall D. Knight
ISBN 9780321740908

When a 1984 Alfa Romeo Spider sports cai” accelerates at

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