Physics distance and acceleration Problems

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving acceleration and distance, specifically focusing on two cars driven by Marcus and Melissa. The scenario describes Marcus's car traveling at a speed of 21 m/s, while Melissa's car travels at 25 m/s, with Marcus starting 200 m behind Melissa and accelerating to overtake her in 12 seconds.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various methods to calculate the acceleration and distance traveled by Marcus. Some express uncertainty about their calculations, while others suggest clarifying the problem setup and assumptions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing different values for acceleration and distance. There is no clear consensus on the correct answers, and some participants are encouraged to provide clearer details of their methods for better assistance.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the difficulty in interpreting the original problem due to unclear formatting and suggest that a diagram may help clarify the scenario. There is also mention of differing results from various calculations, indicating potential misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the problem.

Dhooy7
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Homework Statement



What acceleration does Marcus feel and how long does Marcus travel with the details: Marcos and Melissa are driving. Marcus's car travels 21 m/s and Melissa's travels 25 m/s. Marcus's car is 200 m behind Melissa's car when he hits the gas, giving constant acceleration. Marcus overtakes 12 sec?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

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Dhooy7 said:

Homework Statement



What acceleration does Marcus feel and how long does Marcus travel with the details: Marcos and Melissa are driving. Marcus's car travels 21 m/s and Melissa's travels 25 m/s. Marcus's car is 200 m behind Melissa's car when he hits the gas, giving constant acceleration. Marcus overtakes 12 sec?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


Welcome to the PF.

Those images are really hard to see. Can you please type your solution into the forum, so it is easier for us to help you? Thanks.
 
It is far preferable that you type details of your method and working, so respondants can read it easily and quote parts of it in their reply.

Presumably you post here hoping for assistance? So ... by making that effort you'll make it easy for people to help you.

I see you are new here so , http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5725/red5e5etimes5e5e45e5e25.gif
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I got delta x=285.12 m
a=0.46

I did it another way with someone else and he said a=3.44 m/s and x=500m. Not sure which is right.
 
Mellia=Marcu's distance +200m.

I used vf2=vo2+2a (200m) and solved for a.
vf=25
vo=21
t=12

Then used delta x =volt+1/2at2
 
Mellia=Marcu's distance +200m
Check this. Whose car will travel the greatest distance after we start observing them?

Your equation seems to be solving for Marcu's car to attain 25 m/s when it reaches Mellia's starting point (being 200m from where he started).
EDITED
 
Last edited:
So what is the right answer?
 
Your working is not correct. Try drawing a clear diagram that fits the scenario you are examining.
 
So neither of these are correct:

a=3.44 m/s and x=500m.

I got delta x=285.12 m
a=0.46
 

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