Acceleration in 1 dimension (Conceptual)

[skwz]

Homework Statement

Two cars C and D travel in the same direction on a long, straight section of a highway. During a particular time interval $$\Delta$$t₀, car D is ahead of car C and speeding up while car C is slowing down.

During the interval $$\Delta$$t₀, it is observed that C gains on car D (i.e.e the distance between the cars decreases. Explain how this is possible.

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm not sure, but what I thought was that if car C gains distance and slowing down, the change in its velocity (acceleration) over the very beginning of this time interval is lower than cars D acceleration in that beginning of the time interval. That way car C maintains the relatively same velocity for that small time period and can "gain". But then if car D is accelerating at a greater rate, then how could car C gain on car D? Can we assume the initial and final velocities differ for each car? I'm very confused.

 

[Kurdt]

The answer is very simple. If car D is ahead and speeding up, and car C is slowing down but the gap decreases then how must the velocities of the two compare? That is, which has the greater velocity?

 

[skwz]

Cart C. Wow that was very simple... thanks