Answer:Hockey & Physics: Catching Up

[cbrowne]

Hockey and Physics!

Homework Statement

So I am good at hockey, but just not the physics aspect. Could someone please check my answers and provide feeback


A hockey player is standing on his skates on a frozen pond when an opposing
player skates by with the puck, moving with a constant speed of 12 m/s. After
3.0 s, the first player makes up his mind to chase his opponent and starts
accelerating uniformly at 3.8 m/s^2.
(a) How long does it take him to catch his
opponent?
(b) How far does he travel before he catches up with his opponent?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Opposing skater is moving with constant velocity, a = 0 , v= 12m/s

After the 1st player starts and moves with an accleration of 3.8 m/s^2 after 3 seconds.

v= u+at = 3.8x3 = 11.4 m/s

Let "t" be the time in which the first player catches his opponent.

Within this time, the opponent moves a distance of s= ut= 12t m

therefore, the 1st player-> s= 1/2 a t^2 = 1.9t^2

12= 1.9t
t= 6.315 seconds


b) the distance traveled during this time period to catch his opponent is:

s= 1.9t^2= 1.9 (6.315)^2 = 75.77 m

 

[LowlyPion]

What is the equation for the first player?

x = 3*12 + 12*t

What is the equation for the guy starting out?

x = 1/2*a*t²

When the x is the same that will be the time.

 

[thomate1]

Your calculations and equations are correct. It is important to remember that in order to catch up with his opponent, the first player must travel a distance equal to the distance his opponent has already traveled. This is why the distance traveled by the first player is equal to the distance traveled by the opponent. Additionally, it is interesting to note that the acceleration of the first player is greater than the velocity of the opponent, which means that the first player is able to catch up with his opponent in a shorter amount of time. This demonstrates the importance of acceleration in sports like hockey, where quick movements can make all the difference in winning or losing a game. Keep up the good work in both hockey and physics!