A truck on a straight road starts from rest, accelerating at 2.00 m/s2 until it reaches a speed of 20.0 m/s. Then the truck travels for 20.0 s at constant speed until the brakes are applied, stopping the truck in a uniform manner in an additional 5.00 s. (a) How long is the truck in motion? (b) What is the average velocity of the truck for the motion described?

You can use the equation

V_xf = V_xi + a_x (t)

V_xf = 20.0m/s

V_xi = 0m/s

ax = 2.0 t

Thus, solve for t and get 10seconds and then take 5 seconds to break after 20 seconds of driving so for

a) 10 + 20 + 5 = 35 seconds

for part b)

You can use the formula

Delta x/Delta t = average velocity

Need to find xf, knowing xi = 0

Thus, use the formula

x_f = x_i + V_xi (t) + (1/2) a_x (t) ^ (2)

x_f = 0 + 0 (10) + (1/2) (2.0) (10) ^ (2)

x_f = 100m

so for the first 10 seconds the truck traveled 100ms At a speed of 20m/s

20m/s = xm/20s 20*20 = x

x = 400

thus we have 100+400 = 500m then it slows down from 500m to x_f

thus I use the equation

x_f = x_i + (1/2) (V_xf + V_xi) t

x_f = 500 + (1/2) (0 + 20) (5) x_f = 500 + 50

x_f = 550

therefore the total distance traveled is 550m

to calculate average velocity

550/35 = 16m/s

thus V_xavg = 16m/s