Solution:

Given \(x = 8 + 12t - t^3\). Velocity \(v = \frac{dx}{dt} = 12 - 3t^2\). Acceleration \(a = \frac{dv}{dt} = -6t\). When (v=0), \(12 - 3t^2 = 0 \Rightarrow t^2 = 4 \Rightarrow t = 2 \text{ s}\). At \(t=2 \text{ s}\), \(a = -6(2) = -12 \text{ m/s}^2\). Retardation is \(-a = 12 \text{ m/s}^2\).