Kinematics: acceleration and speed

[mrsshakes]

Homework Statement

at the instant the traffic light turns green, an auto mobile starts with a constant acceleration of 2.2 m/s^2. At the same instant, a truck traveling with a constant speed of 9.5 m/s overtakes and passes the car.
a) how far beyond the traffic signal will the auto mobile overtake the truck?
b) how fast will the car be traveling at that instant?

Homework Equations

if I am only given the acceleration of the car and the velocity of the truck (the implied initial velocity is 0) how am i supposed to answer any of the questions?

The Attempt at a Solution

Given(car): a= 2.2 m/s^2, v1=0, d=?, t= ? given(truck): v= 9.5 m/s, v1= 0, d=?

 

[cepheid]

Welcome to PF!

if I am only given the acceleration of the car and the velocity of the truck (the implied initial velocity is 0)

No. Take t = 0 to be the instant at which the truck passes the car. Therefore, they both have the same starting position, and the initial velocity of the truck is 9.5 m/s.

how am i supposed to answer any of the questions?

Write an expression for the position vs. time of the car.

Write another expression for the position vs. time of the truck.

At the instant the car overtakes the truck, their positions will be equal. What does this suggest that you should do with the two expressions?