How Do Two Cyclists Traveling Towards Each Other Meet?

  • Thread starter Thread starter blooreema
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Motion
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The problem involves two cyclists traveling towards each other from Vectorville and Scalartown, which are 20.0 km apart. The first cyclist travels at 20.0 km/h, while the second cyclist travels at 15.0 km/h. They meet after 20/35 hours, which equals approximately 34.29 minutes. The meeting point can be calculated by determining the distance each cyclist travels in that time, leading to a meeting point of approximately 14.29 km from Vectorville.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic algebra and equations
  • Knowledge of speed, distance, and time relationships
  • Familiarity with the substitution method in problem-solving
  • Basic knowledge of unit conversions (e.g., hours to minutes)
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to apply the substitution method in algebraic equations
  • Study the concept of relative speed in motion problems
  • Explore distance-time graphs for visualizing motion
  • Practice similar problems involving two moving objects
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics or mathematics, educators teaching motion problems, and anyone interested in understanding relative motion and speed calculations.

blooreema
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I tried for a really long time to try to answer this question, but I keep getting weird answers... could someone try and help me out? I know we're supposed to use the substitution method but I don't quite get how...


Vectorville and Scalartown are 20.0 km apart.
A cyclist leaves Vectorville and heads for Scalartown at 20.0 km/h.
A second cyclist leaves Scalartown for Vectorville at exactly the same time at a speed of 15.0 km/h.

a) Where will the two cyclists meet between the two towns?
b) How much time passes before they meet (in minutes)?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I'm not really sure what you mean by the substitution method, if you were to explain what you mean by that maybe I could give you a pointer as to how to calculate the answer that way.

However, the way I would do it would be to realize that the two bikes could be treated as one bike traveling at 35 Km/h for a distance of 20 Km. Using good old speed = distance / time would give you the answer to part b, then you could use that to calculate the answer to part a.
 

Similar threads

Two cyclists ride between a pair of towns with and against the wind
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
1K
Velocity/Time/displancement Question
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Frequency of Trucks Overtaking a Cyclist
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Maximizing Cyclist Speed: Solving the Energy Question in a Race
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
What is the displacement of two cyclists and a fly when they meet?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
5K
Calculate Cyclist's Speed in Race: Energy-Work Problem Solution
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Two cars driving toward each other (non-uniform speed)
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
8K
Launch service between two stations along a flowing river
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
1K
Two cars moving towards each other - bullets fired
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Uniform Motion in 2D - A man chasing a bus
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
1K