Dave is riding on a straight path. After 5 s, his speed is 3.0 m/s. After 7 s, his speed is 5.0 m/s. After 10 s, speed is 7.0 m/s. What was his acceleration from 5 s to 10 s?

1 Answer
Mar 28, 2018

The acceleration is #0.8# meters per second per second.

Explanation:

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.

His acceleration from #"5 s"# to #"10 s"# is the rate at which he changes from #"3 m/s"# to #"7 m/s"#.

The change in velocity #= "7 m/s" - "3 m/s" = "4 m/s"#

It changes by #"4 m/s"# in #5# seconds, so the rate at which it changes per second is

#"4 m/s"/"5 s" = "0.8 m/s"^2#

Hence the acceleration is #0.8# meters per second per second.