# Homework Help: Motion Along A Straight Line - HELP!

1. Nov 2, 2008

### Arika

At the instant the traffic light turns green, a car that has been waiting at an intersection starts ahead with a constant acceleration of 3.15 . At the same instant a truck, traveling with a constant speed of 18.0 , overtakes and passes the car.

Part A: How far beyond its starting point does the car overtake the truck?
Part B: How fast is the car traveling when it overtakes the truck?

Vo of the car is zero and the acc. = 3.15
Vo of the truck is 18 and the acc. is zero,
i need atleast a hint,i dont get part A,i dont have enough information:S But i think part B would be easy once i know part A

2. Nov 2, 2008

### Irid

Basically, you need to find the equations of motion for both vehicles. It means the dependence of coordinate upon time. In your case it has the form

$$x(t) = At^2 + Bt + C$$

and velocity

$$v(t) = 2At + B$$

Just fix the constants A, B, and C to meet the boundary conditions. Once you know the constants for both vehicles, you can equate their positions to get the time(s) when they meet and then calculate the point of meeting, as well as any other quantity of interest.

3. Nov 3, 2008

### Arika

I'm sorry but I don't get it, from where do i bring A,B and C?

I think the only equations we can use are:

$$V = Vo + at$$
$$V^2 = Vo^2 + 2aX$$
$$X = Vot + .5 at^2$$
$$X = Vt - .5 at^2$$
$$X = .5 (Vo+V) t$$

V being final velocity, Vo initial velocity, t time, a acceleration,X displacement.