Kinematics: two runners with different and non-constant accelerations

In summary, the equations for the position of runners A and B are given by $$x_{A}(t)=\begin{cases}\frac{1}{2}a_A t^2 & 0\leq t\leq 2.8\\ \frac{1}{2}a_A 2.8^2 +a_A t\cdot (t-2.8) & t>2.8\end{cases}$$ and $$x_{B}(t)=\begin{cases}\frac{1}{2}a_B t^2 & 0\leq t\leq 3.2\\ \frac{1}{2}a_B 3.2^2
  • #1
lorenz0
148
28
Homework Statement
In a 100m race, two runners run the first 40m both in ##t_1=5s##. Runner A runs with a constant and maximal acceleration ##a_A## for the first ##2.8s## and then runs at constant speed ##v_A##. The second runner B runs at a constant and maximal acceleration ##a_B## for the first ##3.2s## and then he also runs at a constant speed ##v_B##. Determine:
1) who wins the race and the time he takes to do so;
2) how much time runner B would take to run the 100m if, after having achieved the maximum speed ##v_B##, started decelerating with ##a=-kv##, where ##k=0.05 s^{-1}##
Relevant Equations
##x(t)=x_0+v_0 t+\frac{1}{2}at^2, v(t)=v_0+at, a=\frac{dv}{dt}, v=\frac{dx}{dt}##
1. $$x_{A}(t)=\begin{cases}\frac{1}{2}a_A t^2 & 0\leq t\leq 2.8\\ \frac{1}{2}a_A 2.8^2 +v_A t & t>2.8\end{cases}=\begin{cases}\frac{1}{2}a_A t^2 & 0\leq t\leq 2.8\\ \frac{1}{2}a_A 2.8^2 +a_A\cdot 2.8\cdot t & t>2.8\end{cases}$$ so ##x_A(5)=40## implies ##a_A=\frac{40}{17.92}m/s##. Similarly for B we have $$x_{B}(t)=\begin{cases}\frac{1}{2}a_B t^2 & 0\leq t\leq 3.2\\ \frac{1}{2}a_B 3.2^2 +v_B t & t>3.2\end{cases}=\begin{cases}\frac{1}{2}a_B t^2 & 0\leq t\leq 3.2\\ \frac{1}{2}a_B 3.2^2 +a_B\cdot 3.2\cdot t & t>3.2\end{cases}$$ so ##x_B(5)=40## implies ##a_B=\frac{40}{21.12}m/s##. Thus the time ##t_{100A}## that it takes for A to reach 100 m is $$100=\frac{1}{2}a_A 2.8^2 +a_A\cdot 2.8\cdot t_{100A}\Rightarrow t_{100A}=\frac{1}{2}(\frac{200}{2.8 a_A}-2.8)=14.6s$$. Similarly, the time ##t_{100B}## that it takes for B to reach 100m is $$100=\frac{1}{2}a_B\cdot 3.2^2+a_B\cdot 3.2\cdot t_{100B}\Rightarrow t_{100B}=\frac{1}{2}(\frac{200}{3.2a_B}-3.2)=14.9s$$ so A reaches the 100m before B does.

2. $$a=\frac{dv}{dt}=-kv\Rightarrow \frac{dv}{v}=-kdt\Rightarrow \int_{v_B}^{v(t)}\frac{dv'}{v'}=-k\int_{3.2}^{t}dt' \Rightarrow v(t)=v_B e^{3.2k-kt}=\frac{dx}{dt}\Rightarrow \int_{40}^{100}dx=\int_{3.2}^{t_{100}}v_B e^{3.2k-kt}dt\Rightarrow 60=a_B\cdot 3.2e^{3.2k}\int_{3.2}^{t_{100}}e^{-kt}dt\Rightarrow t_{100}=-20\cdot\ln(\frac{101}{200}e^{-\frac{3.2}{20}})\approx 16.864 s$$
 
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  • #2
They both run 40m in 5s. They must run the second 60m at a greater average speed than the first 40m. Therefore, both should take less than 12.5s, and not nearly 15s.

Your answers to 1) can't be right.
 
  • #3
##a_A## and ##a_B## didn't come out right because you didn't use ##t_v=5-t_a## in the ##v## terms
 

1. How do you calculate the acceleration of each runner?

The acceleration of a runner can be calculated by dividing the change in their velocity by the change in time. This can be represented by the equation a = (vf - vi) / t, where vf is the final velocity, vi is the initial velocity, and t is the change in time.

2. What is the difference between constant and non-constant acceleration?

Constant acceleration refers to a situation where the acceleration of an object remains the same over a given period of time. Non-constant acceleration, on the other hand, means that the acceleration is changing over time. This can be represented by a curved line on a velocity-time graph.

3. How does the distance covered by each runner differ if they have different accelerations?

The distance covered by each runner will depend on their individual accelerations. If one runner has a higher acceleration, they will cover more distance in the same amount of time compared to the runner with a lower acceleration. However, the total distance covered by both runners may be the same if their accelerations are equal but in opposite directions.

4. Can a runner have a negative acceleration?

Yes, a runner can have a negative acceleration. This means that their velocity is decreasing over time. A negative acceleration can also be referred to as deceleration or slowing down.

5. How do you calculate the final velocity of each runner?

The final velocity of a runner can be calculated by adding their initial velocity to the product of their acceleration and the change in time. This can be represented by the equation vf = vi + at, where vf is the final velocity, vi is the initial velocity, a is the acceleration, and t is the change in time.

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