Solving Kinetics Questions: Two Cars Traveling on a Highway

  • Thread starter aquapod17
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    Kinetics
In summary, two cars traveling at constant speeds of 55 mi/h and 65 mi/h on a straight highway are compared. The first car arrives at a destination 10 mi away in ______ min, while the second car arrives in ______ min. To have a 15-min lead, the second car must travel ______ mi. The relevant equation for this problem is the one that relates speed, distance, and time.
  • #1
aquapod17
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Homework Statement


Two cars travel in the same direction along a straight highway, one at a constant speed of 55 mi/h and the other at 65 mi/h.

(a) Assuming that they start at the same point, how much sooner does the faster car arrive at a destination 10 mi away?
______ min
(b) How far must the faster car travel before it has a 15-min lead on the slower car?
______ mi


Homework Equations


I'm not sure how to set up an equation.


The Attempt at a Solution


I divided 10 mi by each speed, then multiplied each result by 60 and compared minutes.
 
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  • #2
For part a you seem to have started off correctly. All you need to do is find the difference in arrival times.

Any ideas for part b?
 
  • #3
Welcome to PF, aquapod17.

You did part (a) correctly. The relevant equation is the one that relates speed, distance, and time to each other. (You must have been told this equation, or it's in your textbook ... otherwise you would not be asked to do a problem like this.)

(b) Instead of 10 miles, what would the distance be so that your answer is 15 minutes? You already know, from part (a), if that distance is greater than or less than 10 miles.
 
  • #4
Thanks I got it!
 

1. How do you determine the relative speed between two cars on a highway?

To determine the relative speed between two cars on a highway, you must first measure the distance between the two cars and the time it takes for them to cover that distance. Then, divide the distance by the time to calculate their relative speed.

2. What is the difference between average speed and instantaneous speed?

Average speed is the total distance traveled divided by the total time it takes to cover that distance. Instantaneous speed, on the other hand, is the speed at a specific moment in time, which can vary continuously.

3. How does the speed of one car affect the other car on the highway?

The speed of one car does not directly affect the other car on the highway. However, if the two cars are traveling at different speeds, it can affect their relative speed and the time it takes for them to reach a certain distance from each other.

4. Can two cars on a highway have the same speed?

Yes, it is possible for two cars on a highway to have the same speed. This can happen if they are both traveling at a constant speed and maintain a constant distance from each other.

5. How can you use kinematics equations to solve problems involving two cars on a highway?

Kinematics equations can be used to solve problems involving two cars on a highway by using the distance, time, and speed variables to calculate the unknown variable. These equations can help determine the relative speed, distance traveled, and time taken by the two cars.

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