Calculating Distance Traveled by a Vehicle at 3.6 m/s Over 52 Minutes

Understanding distance calculations is essential in various fields, including physics, engineering, and everyday life scenarios. One such scenario involves determining how far a vehicle can travel at a constant speed over a certain period. In this article, we will explore a step-by-step approach to calculate the distance traveled by a car moving at a speed of 3.6 meters per second (m/s) over 52 minutes.

Introduction to Speed, Time, and Distance

Before diving into the calculation, it's important to understand the basic relationship between speed, time, and distance. The formula for distance is:

Distance Speed × Time

This simple formula can be rearranged to solve for any of the three variables as needed.

Converting Time from Minutes to Seconds

The time given in the problem is 52 minutes. Since the speed is given in meters per second, the time should be converted to seconds. The conversion is straightforward as follows:

52 minutes 52 × 60 seconds

Performing the multiplication:

3120 seconds 52 minutes × 60 seconds/minute

Calculating the Distance Traveled

Now that the time is in seconds, we can proceed to calculate the distance traveled. The speed of the car is 3.6 meters per second, and the time is 3120 seconds. Using the formula for distance:

Distance 3.6 m/s × 3120 seconds

Performing the multiplication:

Distance 11232 meters

To express the distance in kilometers:

Distance 11232 meters ÷ 1000 meters/kilometer

Distance 11.232 kilometers

Verification and Real-World Application

Let's verify the calculation using the second method provided in the introduction:

Distance 3.6 m/s × 52 minutes × 60 seconds/minute

Performing the multiplication step-by-step:

Distance 3.6 m/s × 3120 seconds

As previously calculated:

Distance 11232 meters 11.232 kilometers

This confirms the initial calculation.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the process of calculating the distance traveled by a vehicle moving at a constant speed over a given time. The key concepts include understanding the relationship between speed, time, and distance, and the importance of consistent units throughout the calculation. Whether you are a student, a professional, or simply interested in such calculations, this step-by-step guide will provide you with a solid foundation.

Questions or further discussions on this topic are welcome. For related resources and additional information, check out our comprehensive guides on speed and distance.