Finding the Collision Point for Two Walking Persons with Different Accelerations

[saac]

Homework Statement

Two people start from rest at 88m apart and walk directly toward each other. Person A has a magnitude of .3m/s^2, while person B has a magnitude of .2m/^2. Relative to person A's starting point, where do the people coincide?

Homework Equations

How to determine collision point?

The Attempt at a Solution

I've tried find the total time it takes for each to cover the 88m. then take those values and switch them between A & B. Otherwise I'm stuck.

 

[PhanthomJay]

Homework Statement

Two people start from rest at 88m apart and walk directly toward each other. Person A has a magnitude of .3m/s^2, while person B has a magnitude of .2m/^2. Relative to person A's starting point, where do the people coincide?

Homework Equations

How to determine collision point?

The Attempt at a Solution

I've tried find the total time it takes for each to cover the 88m. then take those values and switch them between A & B. Otherwise I'm stuck.

But each does not cover 88 m. They meet somewhere in between A and B, and arrive there at the same elapsed time.

 

[saac]

So t1=t2 . Would velocity be calculated for A & B? and then find the displacement for each?

 

[PhanthomJay]

It would be easier to write an equation to show how far A moves during t1, and how far B moves during time t1. Note that if A moves x meters during that time, then B moves 88-x meters during the time it takes them to meet.

 

[saac]

ok makes sense. however, i do not understand how to utilize the accelerations? would the equation look like this: x/.3=88-x/.2?

 

[PhanthomJay]

No, use the kinematic equation that relates distance as a function of acceleration and time...