Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Kinematics
Kinematics is the branch of mechanics that describes the motion of objects without considering the forces that cause the motion. It involves concepts such as displacement, velocity, and acceleration. In this problem, kinematics helps us understand how the car's acceleration affects its distance traveled over time.
Recommended video:
Using The Velocity Function
Acceleration
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity of an object with respect to time. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. In this scenario, the car accelerates at 16 ft/s², indicating that its velocity increases by 16 feet per second every second, which is crucial for calculating the distance traveled.
Recommended video:
Derivatives Applied To Acceleration
Distance Formula
The distance traveled by an object under constant acceleration can be calculated using the formula: distance = initial velocity × time + 0.5 × acceleration × time². Since the car starts from rest, the initial velocity is zero, simplifying the calculation. This formula allows us to determine how far the car travels during the 5 seconds of acceleration.
Recommended video: