Object A catches Object B, at when?

  • Thread starter Thread starter PrudensOptimus
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves two cars: a blue car that starts from rest and accelerates at a constant rate, and a red car that passes a certain point with an initial speed and also accelerates. The question is focused on determining when the red car will catch up to the blue car.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the setup of the problem, including the initial conditions and accelerations of both cars. Some suggest using equations of motion to express the positions of the cars as functions of time. Others question the assumptions regarding the initial conditions and the nature of acceleration.

Discussion Status

There are various hints and suggestions provided, including the use of specific equations to relate the positions of the two cars. Some participants have offered guidance on how to set up the equations, while others are seeking clarification on the problem's requirements and the definitions involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants have noted the need for hints rather than complete solutions, emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying concepts rather than just arriving at an answer. There is also mention of potential issues with the clarity of the original post and the need for more explicit questions.

PrudensOptimus
Messages
641
Reaction score
0
Hello.

Before I state the problem, I would like to make clear that I ask for a HINT, a GUIDANCE, a DIRECTION-POINTING on the problem. What is the big picture here that I need to understand? Not necessarily requiring anyone to solve the problem for me. Thanks.



At t = 0 and x = 0, an initially stationary blue car begin accelerate at constant rate of 2m/s^2 in positive direction of the x axis. At t = 2s, a red car traveling in an adjacent lane and in the same direction, passes x = 0 with a speed of 8 m/s and a constant acceleration of 3m/s^2; When will the red car pass the blue car?​
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
It would help if you asked a question.
 
If not too much trouble, solve the problem step by step please.

Otherwise, give me a hint please.
 
I'm serious, bud. All that shows up in your post is the intro and a little grey box with the word 'code:' above it. I have absolutely no idea what you're referring to, let alone asking about. If that's supposed to be a link to something, it doesn't work on my system.
 
At t = 0 and x = 0, an initially stationary blue car begin accelerate at constant rate of 2m/s^2 in positive direction of the x axis. At t = 2s, a red car traveling in an adjacent lane and in the same direction, passes x = 0 with a speed of 8 m/s and a constant acceleration of 3m/s^2; When will the red car pass the blue car?
 
Blue is ahead of Red but Red is accelerating more (increasing its speed at a higher rate than Blue). You need to solve for the distance x (from the origin) at which Red will catch up with Blue. Have you studied calculus? What is the definition of acceleration that you have been taught?
 
hint: x will be the same for the two cars but for the red one the time interval is (t - 2) sec.
 
Use the general formula x(t)= (1/2)at2+ v0t+ x0 to write x as a function of t for each a car. That gives you two equations in two unknowns. When one car passes the other, they will have the same position x at the same time t. Solve the two equations for x and t. t is the time one car passes the other.
 
try out this equation --
(1/2)*2*t*t= 8(t-2) + (1/2)*3*(t-2)*(t-2)

also first try figuring out why this equation?
hint -- displacement is constant..
 

Similar threads

When 2 Cars With Differing Velocities Will Meet
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Kinematics passing cars problem
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
Help with question on motion: Avoiding a rear-end collision
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Determining the interval between two F1 cars
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
3K
Kinematics Car acceleration Problem
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
"Distance" between events in uniformly moving and accelerating frames
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Kinematics Car velocity Problem
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Calculating Separation of Cars in a Convoy Moving at Max Speed
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Kinematics question, easier way to do this?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Setting two expressions equal to each other
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K