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Ch 02: Kinematics in One Dimension
Chapter 2, Problem 5

For an object starting from rest and accelerating with constant acceleration, distance traveled is proportional to the square of the time. If an object travels 2.0 furlongs in the first 2.0 s, how far will it travel in the first 4.0 s?

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1
Identify the relationship between distance traveled and time for an object with constant acceleration starting from rest. The formula to use is: \( s = k t^2 \), where \( s \) is the distance, \( t \) is the time, and \( k \) is the proportionality constant.
Use the given information to find the proportionality constant \( k \). You know that the object travels 2.0 furlongs in 2.0 seconds. Substitute these values into the formula: \( 2.0 = k \times (2.0)^2 \).
Solve the equation from step 2 to find the value of \( k \).
Now, use the value of \( k \) to find the distance traveled in the first 4.0 seconds. Substitute \( t = 4.0 \) seconds into the formula \( s = k t^2 \).
Calculate the distance using the formula with the known value of \( k \) and \( t = 4.0 \) seconds to find the distance traveled in the first 4.0 seconds.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Constant Acceleration

Constant acceleration refers to a situation where an object's velocity changes at a steady rate over time. In this context, it means that the object is accelerating uniformly, which allows us to use kinematic equations to predict its motion. This concept is fundamental in analyzing the motion of objects under the influence of a constant force.
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Kinematic Equations

Kinematic equations describe the relationship between an object's displacement, initial velocity, final velocity, acceleration, and time. For an object starting from rest with constant acceleration, the distance traveled can be calculated using the equation: distance = 0.5 * acceleration * time^2. This equation highlights how distance is proportional to the square of the time when acceleration is constant.
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Proportionality in Motion

In the context of motion under constant acceleration, the distance traveled is proportional to the square of the time elapsed. This means that if the time doubles, the distance traveled increases by a factor of four, illustrating a quadratic relationship. Understanding this proportionality is crucial for solving problems related to uniformly accelerated motion.
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