An object is at rest at (5 ,1 ,1 ) and constantly accelerates at a rate of 2/5 m/s as it moves to point B. If point B is at (6 ,9 ,7 ), how long will it take for the object to reach point B? Assume that all coordinates are in meters.

1 Answer
Nov 5, 2016

t ~~ 7 s

Explanation:

I am going to assume that there is a small typographical error in the units of the acceleration and it is 2/5m/s^2

The distance, d, from Point A = (5,1,1) to point B = (6,9,7) is

d =sqrt((6 -5)^2 + (9 - 1)^2 + (7 - 1)^2)

d =sqrt((1)^2 + (8)^2 + (6)^2)

d =sqrt(1 + 64 + 36)

d =sqrt(101) m

The equation for distance traveled under constant acceleration is:

d = (1/2)at^2

Substitute sqrt(101) m for d and 2/5m/s^2 for a, and then solve for t:

sqrt(101) m = (1/2)(2/5m/s^2)t^2

5sqrt(101)s^2 = t^2

t ~~ +-7 s

But negative time does not make sense, therefore, make it only positive:

t ~~ 7 s