Related Formula
Velocity via first derivative of position:
v = (dx)/(dt)$$v = \frac{dx}{dt}$$
Acceleration via derivative of velocity:
a = (dv)/(dt) = (d²x)/(dt²)$$a = \frac{dv}{dt} = \frac{d^2x}{dt^2}$$
Core Logic
Given x(t) = -3t³ + 18t² + 16t$x(t) = -3t^3 + 18t^2 + 16t$.
Differentiate once to find velocity v(t)$v(t)$:
v = (dx)/(dt) = -9t² + 36t + 16$$v = \frac{dx}{dt} = -9t^2 + 36t + 16$$
Differentiate again to find acceleration a(t)$a(t)$:
a = (dv)/(dt) = -18t + 36$$a = \frac{dv}{dt} = -18t + 36$$
Step 1: Find the Time When Acceleration is Zero
Set the acceleration equation to zero:
-18t + 36 = 0 18t = 36 t = 2~s$$-18t + 36 = 0 \implies 18t = 36 \implies t = 2\mathrm{~s}$$
Step 2: Calculate Velocity at Target Time
Substitute t = 2~s$t = 2\mathrm{~s}$ back into the velocity function:
v(2) = -9(2)² + 36(2) + 16$$v(2) = -9(2)^2 + 36(2) + 16$$
v(2) = -36 + 72 + 16 = 36 + 16 = 52~ms⁻¹$$v(2) = -36 + 72 + 16 = 36 + 16 = 52\mathrm{~ms}^{-1}$$
Note on original structural text step matching: The original calculation step text features a minor print truncation (v = -9t² + 36 + 16$v = -9t^2 + 36 + 16$), but explicitly evaluates out to the correct total of 52~m/s$52\mathrm{~m/s}$.
Pattern Recognition
Inflection point tracking: Finding where acceleration equals zero is mathematically identical to finding the maximum velocity point on the curve.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Motion in a Straight Line