THE PRACTICE STUDIO
Go slowly. Ask why. Make it yours.
PRACTICE / Velocity and acceleration
Can velocity be zero while acceleration is not?
A tracking sensor records a cart moving along a straight rail. Its signed velocity is v(t) = 6 − 3t m/s, with t in seconds. The record is valid from t = 0 to t = 4 s.
At the instant the cart reverses direction, what is its acceleration?
Organize the givens & assumptions
- Initial velocity: +6 m/s
- Velocity changes by −3 m/s each second
- Positive direction: along the initial motion
One-dimensional motion in an inertial laboratory frame; the stated velocity law holds throughout the interval.
- A
- B
- C
- D
Try it on paper first. Free sample problems in every collection include the complete reasoning: find one in this collection →