SOLUTION: I want to determine if one could go from a speed of 20 MPH to 31 MPH in a distance of 90, or 93.3 or 95 feet. Will you help me figure this out? Thank you!

Question 650194: I want to determine if one could go from a speed of 20 MPH to 31 MPH in a distance of 90, or 93.3 or 95 feet. Will you help me figure this out? Thank you!
Answer by solver91311(24713) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

You can't calculate the acceleration directly because there is no direct way to determine

. But you can get a rough approximation by picking the midpoint of the speed range and using that as a very rough figure for average speed.

So at the "average" speed, it would take about

to cover the 90 feet. Using 2.4 as

, we can calculte average acceleration (converting from 11 mph difference to 16 ft/sec difference):

This is just about

, about 1/2 to 2/3 of the top acceleration of the typical automobile on the road today. So, yes, an 11 mile per hour increase in speed in a distance of 90 feet (or any greater distance) is well within the realm of possibility.

John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it

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