A driver is traveling eastward on a dirt road when she spots a pothole ahead. She slows her car from 14.0 m/s to 5.5 m/s in 6.0 s. What is the car's acceleration?

- 1.42m/s²

Explanation:

Acceleration is defined as the change in velocity of a body with respect to time.

Acceleration = change in velocity/time

Change in velocity = final velocity - initial velocity

Acceleration = final velocity - initial velocity/time

Since she slows her car from 14.0 to 5.5m/s in 6seconds,

Initial velocity = 14m/s

Final velocity = 5.5m/s

Time = 6seconds

Substituting in the given formula, we will have

Acceleration = 5.5 - 14/6

Acceleration = - 8.5/6

Acceleration = - 1.42m/s²

The negative acceleration shows that the car decelerates.