What is the average speed of an object that is still at t=0 and accelerates at a rate of a(t) = 6-t from t in [0, 2]?

1 Answer
Apr 6, 2017

The average speed is =5.33ms^-1

Explanation:

The velocity is the integral of the acceleration

a(t)=6-t

v(t)=int(6-t)dt

=6t-t^2/2+C

We apply the initial conditions to find C

v(0)=0

Therefore, C=0

So,

v(t)=6t-t^2/2

We can calculate the average value of the velocity

(2-0)barv=int_0^2(6t-t^2/2)dt

=[3t^2-t^3/6]_0^2

=(12-4/3)-(0)

=32/3

=10.67

So,

barv=10.67/2=5.33ms^-1