Car A & B Velocity: Solving Mechanics Problem

[luysion]

Homework Statement

Car A, which is traveling at a constant velocity of 15 ms-1, passes Car B, which is stationary, at time t = 0. At the instant that it is being passed, Car B begins to move, accelerating at a constant rate of 0.1 ms-2 in the direction in which Car A is travelling. At what speed will Car B be traveling as it passes Car A (in ms-1)?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Ok so I know that this is a relative velocity question? so the relative velocity will decrease by 0.1 per second. But I then get stuck, I am having trouble understanding the situation I think]

cheers

 

[tomwilliam]

Do you know the Kinematics Equations?

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_kinematic_equations

You need to find the right equation which will find the speed of the car in question as a function of time. Then you find the point where the displacement of both cars is equal, and calculate for the speed.

Alternatively, you could draw a graph and plot the displacement of the cars against time. That way, the speed of the car will be dx/dt at the point that they cross.
Hope that helps