Solving 1D Motion: How Fast Must a Police Car Go to Catch a Holdup Car?

AI Thread Summary
To determine how fast the police car must go to catch the holdup car, it is essential to calculate the distance traveled by the holdup car during its head start. The holdup car travels at 120 km/h for 1.5 hours, covering a distance of 180 km. The police car must cover this distance in 1 hour, meaning it needs to travel at a speed of 180 km/h. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding relative motion and constant speed in solving the problem. This approach clarifies the necessary calculations for determining the police car's required speed.
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Homework Statement

A police car leaves in pursuit of a holdup car 0.50 h after the latter has left the scene of the crime at 120 km/h. How fast must the police car go if it is to catch up with the holdup car in 1.00h?


Homework Equations

I'm thinking Vf=Vo+at? i must be wrong, I can't seem to get the probelm started



The Attempt at a Solution

Tried so many but it doesn't seem to come out
 
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I think you can ignore accelaration since no data is given. So it is simply s = vt
How far has the first car gone at constant speed when the police car catches it?
 
then distance = 120(1.5), Which equals 180 km. Thank you for the help I didn't even think of it like that.
 

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