Constant acceleration of rocket car

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a scenario where two rocket cars are launched with different constant accelerations. The first car accelerates at 1.2 m/s² from t=0s, while the second car, launched at t=2s, accelerates at 7.2 m/s². To determine when the second car catches up to the first, kinematic equations must be applied, specifically the distance formula d = 1/2 a t². The problem requires creating two equations for the distances traveled by each car and solving for the time and distance at which they meet. Understanding and applying these kinematic principles is essential for solving such acceleration problems.
andyman21
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
A "rocket car" is launched along a long straight track at t=0s. It moves with constant acceleration a1=1.2m/s2. At t=2s a second car is launched with constant acceleration a2=7.2m/s2.

At what time does the second car catch up with the first?

How far down the track do they meet?

I always have problems with these problems because you need to use the kinematics equations and i get confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
at constant acceleration, the distance traveled with respect to time is given by:
d = \frac{1}{2} a t^2
note that sometimes the equation needs to be modified to fit the context of your problem :wink:

basically your question requires you to produce two of these equations and solve for t and d
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top