Topic: Motion Analysis of Passing Cars with Fixed Power and Variable Force

[TszHin]

Hey there! I was hoping to get some help on this question, I am not quite sure what I am suppose to do! :(

Question: Consider the problem of the passing of one car by another. Assume that one car is moving at constant velocity, and the second car, the passer, has an initial velocity less then that of the other car. Assume that the power (P) of the passer is fixed, and therefore the (maximum) force applied by the engine is P/|Vpasser| (why?). What are the motions of the cars?

Im not exactly sure what this question wants me to do! help would be much appreciated! :)

 

[Doc Al]

What's the definition of power? Start there.

 

[tiny-tim]

Welcome to PF!

Hey TszHin! Welcome to PF!

… Assume that the power (P) of the passer is fixed, and therefore the (maximum) force applied by the engine is P/|Vpasser| (why?). What are the motions of the cars?

Im not exactly sure what this question wants me to do!

the force is not constant, it depends on the speed

so the acceleration won't be constant … so what will the graph look like?

(and power = energy per time = force x distance per time = force x speed)