Solve Kinematics Problem: Car Overtaking Truck

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a car accelerating from rest at an intersection and a truck moving at a constant speed. The goal is to determine the distance at which the car overtakes the truck and the speed of the car at that moment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the lack of specific time information and explore the use of kinematic equations. There is a focus on equating variables at the moment the car overtakes the truck.

Discussion Status

Some participants are questioning the assumptions made regarding the relationship between the car and truck at the overtaking point. Guidance has been offered to consider what is common between the two vehicles at that instant.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted absence of specific time data, which is affecting the approach to solving the problem. Participants are also considering how to equate the positions or velocities of the car and truck at the overtaking moment.

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I need help with this problem. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Homework Statement



At the instant the traffic light turns green, a car that has been waiting at an intersection starts ahead with a constant acceleration of 3.40m/s^2 . At the same instant a truck, traveling with a constant speed of 17.5m/s , overtakes and passes the car.

Homework Equations



How far beyond its starting point does the car overtake the truck?

How fast is the car traveling when it overtakes the truck?

The Attempt at a Solution

 
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What do you think should be done? How would you go about solving the problem? HAve you any attempt made?
 
Darth Frodo said:
What do you think should be done? How would you go about solving the problem? HAve you any attempt made?

There is no specific time given, so i tried to use the formula v^2f = v^2i + 2a(xf-xi).
But for the car, I can't solve for the final velocity since I don't have the final position x so I don't know how to go about solving this.
 
May I ask if you have the answer to question 1? I have an answer but I want to ensure it's correct.

Also ask yourself, at the instant the car overtakes the truck, what is common between the two so I can equate something?
 

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