Answer:
The constant minimum deceleration required to stop the car in time to avoid pileup is 6.32 m/s²
Explanation:
From the question, the car is traveling at 118 km/h, that is the initial velocity, u = 118km/h
The distance between the car and the accident at the moment when the driver sees the accident is 85 m, that is s = 85 ,
Since the driver slams on the brakes and the car will come to a stop, then the final velocity, v = 0 km/h = 0 m/s
First, convert 118 km/h to m/s
118 km/h = (118 × 1000) /3600 = 32.7778 m/s
∴ u = 32.7778 m/s
Now, to determine the deceleration, a, required to stop,
From one of the equations of motion for linear motion,
v² = u² + 2as
Then
0² = (32.7778)² + 2×a×85
0 = 1074.3841 + 170a
∴ 170a = - 1074.3841
a = - 1074.3841 / 170
a = - 6.3199
a ≅ - 6.32 m/s²
Hence, the constant minimum deceleration required to stop the car in time to avoid pileup is 6.32 m/s²
