A particle moving with uniform acceleration passes the point `x=2m` with velocity `20 m//s` at the instant `t=0`. Some time later it is observed at the point `x=32 m` moving with velocity `10 m//s`.
(a) What is its acceleration?
(b) Find its position nd velocity at the instant `t=8 s`.
(c) What is the distance traveled during the interval `t=0` to `8s`?

Explanation

In the adjoining figure the given and required information shown are not to a scale. As motion diagram is a schematic representation only.
(a) Using the third equation of uniform acceleration motion, we have
`v_(t)^(2)=v_(o)^(2)+2a(x_(t)-x_(o))rarr a=(v_(t)^(2)-v_(o)^(2))/(2(x_(t)-x_(o)))=(10^(2)-20^(2))/(2(32-2))=-5 m//s^(2)`

(b) Using second equation of uniform acceleration motion, we have
`x_(t)=x_(o)+v_(o)t+1/2 at^(2) rarr x_(8)=2+20xx8+1/2 (-5)8^(2)=2 m`
Using the first equation of uniform acceleration motion, we have
`v_(t)=v_(o)+at rarr v_(8)=20+(-5)xx8=-20 m//s`
(c) Where the particle returns, its velocity must be zero. Using the third equation of uniform acceleration motion, we have
`v^(@)=v_(o)^(2)+2a(x-x_(o)) rarr x=x_(o)+(v^(2)-v_(o)^(2))/(2a)=2+(0-20^(2))/(2(-5))=42 m`
This location is shown in the adjoining modified motion diagram.
The distance `Deltas` is `Deltas=|x-x_(o)|+|x_(o)-x|=80 m`