Question

A bird is flying to the right when a gust of wind causes the bird to accelerate leftward at 0.5\,\dfrac{\text m}{\text s^2}0.5
s
2

m
​ 0, point, 5, space, start fraction, m, divided by, s, start superscript, 2, end superscript, end fraction for 3\,\text s3s3, space, s. After the wind stops, the bird is flying to the right with a velocity of 2.5\,\dfrac{\text m}{\text s}2.5
s
m
​ 2, point, 5, space, start fraction, m, divided by, s, end fraction.
Assuming the acceleration from the wind is constant, what was the initial velocity of the bird before the gust of wind?

Answer 1

Answer:

initial velocity of the bird before the gust of wind =  4 m/s

Explanation:

Let us first restate question statement;

A bird is flying to the right when a gust of wind causes the bird to accelerate leftward at 0.5 m/s^2 for 3 s. After the wind stops, the bird is flying to the right with a velocity of 2.5 m/s.

Assuming the acceleration from the wind is constant, what was the initial velocity of the bird before the gust of wind?

Now coming to the solution; Let us say Initial Velocity of Bird = U m/s

Final Velocity of Bird V = 2.5 m/s

acceleration a = -0.5 m/s²  ( as opposite to the fly direction)

Time T= 3 sec

Applying equation of motion

V = U + aT

=> 2.5 = U + (-0.5)3

=> 2.5 = U -1.5

=> U = 4 m/s

Hence the initial velocity of the bird before the gust of wind =  4 m/s