Question

A hamster in its ball starts at rest and accelerates to 3m·s-1 in 6 seconds.
a. What was the distance the hamster travelled?
b. What was the acceleration?

Answer 1

Given

Ball starts from rest .

Final velocity = 3 m/s

Time taken = 6 seconds.

To find

Distance travelled by ball.

Solution ❶

As the ball starts from rest, so it's initial velocity i.e. u = 0 m/s

Using equation of motion :

⇒ a = (v - u)/t

⇒ a = (3 - 0)/6

⇒ 6a = 3

⇒ a = 3/6

⇒ a = 1/2 m/s²

∴ Acceleration of ball = ½ m/s²

Using equation of motion :

⇒ s = ut + ½at²

⇒ s = 0 × 6 + ½(½ × 6²)

⇒ s = 0 + ½(½ × 36)

⇒ s = ½ × 18

⇒ s = 9 m

∴ Distance travelled = 9 m [Answer]

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Solution ❷

As the ball starts from rest, so u = 0

Acceleration of ball = ½ m/s²

Using 3rd equation of motion :

⇒ v² - u² = 2as

⇒ 3² - 0² = 2 × ½ × s

⇒ 9 - 0 = s

⇒ s = 9 m

∴ Distance travelled = 9 m [Answer!]