Solve it: Catch the Bus with Constant Velocity?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a runner attempting to catch a bus that starts accelerating from rest at a rate of 3 m/s², while the runner is initially 20 meters away from the bus. The subject area relates to kinematics and motion analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need for the original poster to show their attempts and clarify their understanding of the problem setup. There are suggestions to draw diagrams and list known variables. Questions about the initial positions of both the runner and the bus are raised, emphasizing the importance of defining a coordinate system.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on how to approach the problem. The original poster has made some attempts to outline the variables involved but expresses uncertainty about how to proceed. There is no explicit consensus yet, as multiple interpretations of the problem setup are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of using the 20-meter distance in the problem and the need to establish a coordinate system for clarity. The original poster has indicated a lack of understanding of how to begin solving the problem.

jdenn
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Hi, I've got a big probllem:

When you are 20m away from your bus it begins accelerating a 3m/s/s (from rest). What constant velocity should you run at to catch the bus.

HELP!
Please!
jason
 
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there's i big chance no one will help you unless you show an attempt
 
Yep, you have to show that you've made an attempt.
 
Tom Mattson said:
Yep, you have to show that you've made an attempt.
thats the think I have no idea where to begin

The fruit of my labors is:
me:
Vi=?
Vf=?
t=?
a=0
d=to busbus:
Vi=0
Vf=?
t=?
a=3m/s^2
d=to bus
This enough? because otherwise i am sol
 
Last edited:
Try drawing two pictures; the first showing the initial conditions, and the second showing the final conditions when you've caught the bus.

Once you've drawn the pictures, make sure you listed all your knowns.

List your kinematics formulas so you can see what you have to work with.

And don't forget to note your initial and final position.

Try choosing your initial position as zero, which would make the initial position of the bus 20 m.
 


*melinda* said:
Try drawing two pictures; the first showing the initial conditions, and the second showing the final conditions when you've caught the bus.
Once you've drawn the pictures, make sure you listed all your knowns.
List your kinematics formulas so you can see what you have to work with.
And don't forget to note your initial and final position.
Try choosing your initial position as zero, which would make the initial position of the bus 20 m.
i have drawn a picture, listed my formulas( no idea which 1 to use though)
 
You have yet to make use of that 20m in the problem statement. Let the motion be along the x-axis.

Can you fill in the following information?

Runner: xi=?
Bus: xi=?
 
Tom Mattson said:
You have yet to make use of that 20m in the problem statement. Let the motion be along the x-axis.
Can you fill in the following information?
Runner: xi=?
Bus: xi=?
ive been working more but all i have still is:thats the think I have no idea where to begin

me:
Vi=?
Vf=Vi (constant)
t=?
a=0
d=to bus-20


bus:
Vi=0
Vf=?
t=?
a=3m/s^2
d=to me+20
 
In order to answer my question, you need to choose an origin for the coordinate system. Let's just put the runner's initial position at the origin, and let the bus sit to the right of the runner.

Now can you fill in those values?
 
  • #10
me:
Vi=?
Vf=Vi (constant)
t=?
a=0
d=distance runbus:
Vi=0
Vf=?
t=?
a=3m/s^2
d=to run-20
 
  • #11
What I am asking you to do is assign an x-coordinate to both the runner and the bus initially. Do you know what a coordinate on a graph is?
 
  • #12
x would be distance and y would be time right?
 
  • #13
In the usual notation, x is distance and t is time. So if you have motion in 1 dimension, and we say that the motion is along the x-axis, and we say that the runner starts at the origin and that the bus starts out 20 meters to the right of the runner, then can you please tell me what the initial x-coordinate of both the runner and the bus are?

We're happy to help with homework, but you have to work with us.
 

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