What is the shortest stopping time for a car which is travelling at 16 m s⁻¹ and has a maximum deceleration of 2.5 m s⁻²? - Leaving Cert Physics - Question (a) - 2013

To find the stopping time, we can use the equation of motion:

$v = u + at$

Where:

• $v$ is the final velocity (0 m/s, when the car stops)
• $u$ is the initial velocity (16 m/s)
• $a$ is the acceleration (deceleration in this case, so it's -2.5 m/s²)

Rearranging the equation gives:
$0 = 16 - 2.5t$
Solving for $t$: $2.5t = 16$ $t = \frac{16}{2.5} = 6.4 ext{ s}$