Time to Pass 30m - Joe's Car 4.33s

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SUMMARY

In the discussion titled "Time to Pass 30m - Joe's Car 4.33s," participants analyze the time it takes for Joe to pass a car on the highway. Joe initially gains 5 meters in the first second, with his acceleration increasing by a factor of 1.5 each subsequent second. The correct time to pass the car is calculated as 5.37 seconds for a 30-meter distance, contradicting the initially stated answer of 537/100 seconds. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the pattern of distance gained over time in non-constant acceleration scenarios.

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brendanmeneze
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Joe was driving on the highway a car ahead of him was driving far below the speed limit so he decided to pass. In the first second he gained(gained means to get nearer to something you are chasing) 5m on the car and as he accelerated he gained 1.5 times as much distance in each second as he had the second before. If there was 30 m between joe and the car he was passing then how long did it take him to pass

Correct answer
537/100s


t = 1s
u = s/t=5/1 m/s
a = 1.5 m/s^2



V^2= u^2 +2as

V^2= 5^2+ (2*1.5*2.5)
v = sqrt100=10


v = u + at
10 = 5+ (1.5*t)
10-5=1.5t
t =5/1.5=3.333
t = 3.33+1=4.33 (one second put because of first gained)
 

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brendanmeneze said:
Joe was driving on the highway a car ahead of him was driving far below the speed limit so he decided to pass. In the first second he gained(gained means to get nearer to something you are chasing) 5m on the car and as he accelerated he gained 1.5 times as much distance in each second as he had the second before. If there was 30 m between joe and the car he was passing then how long did it take him to pass

Correct answer
537/100s

Hi brendanmeneze! Welcome to PF! :smile:

I don't think this has anything to do with Newton or with constant acceleration.

In the first second, he gains 5
In the second second, he gains 5*1.5
In the third second, he gains 5*1.5^2
In the fourth second, he gains 5*1.5^3.

Can you see a pattern? :smile:

Anyway, after 4 seconds, he gains 5(1 + 1.5 + 2.25 + 3.375) = over 40 metres.

Have I understood the question right? :confused:
 
Newtons laws motion

you could right there tinytim butt the answers 5.37 s for 30m you got less seconds 4 for more meters 40m unless the answer given 537/100 is wrong. thank you and i believe you are right because laws of motion don't give right answer.
 
brendanmeneze said:
you could right there tinytim butt the answers 5.37 s for 30m you got less seconds 4 for more meters 40m unless the answer given 537/100 is wrong. thank you and i believe you are right because laws of motion don't give right answer.

Yes, I think the answer given is wrong. :frown:

Finish it anyway … can you see the pattern, and get an equation for the distance as a function of time? :smile:
 
thanks tiny-tim for helping me out.
 

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