Tortoise vs Hare: Solve Homework Problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Prototype44
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a mathematical problem involving a race between a tortoise and a hare, where the tortoise runs at a constant speed of 2.30 cm/s and the hare at 1.50 m/s for 10 minutes before taking a nap. The hare's acceleration after the nap is 0.500 m/s². The conclusion drawn is that the hare's nap duration, calculated correctly, is 11.9 hours, contrasting with an incorrect calculation of 13.7 hours. The critical time calculations for both competitors are 50,000 seconds for the tortoise and 620 seconds for the hare before the nap.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of kinematics, particularly constant speed and acceleration.
  • Familiarity with unit conversions, especially between centimeters per second and meters per second.
  • Ability to solve equations involving time, distance, and speed.
  • Knowledge of basic algebra for manipulating equations to find unknowns.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study kinematic equations for uniformly accelerated motion.
  • Learn about unit conversion techniques between different measurement systems.
  • Practice solving real-world problems involving relative motion.
  • Explore advanced topics in motion analysis, such as calculus-based approaches to acceleration and velocity.
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics or mathematics courses, educators teaching kinematics, and anyone interested in solving motion-related problems in a competitive context.

Prototype44
Messages
33
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Help me with this particular problem.

A tortoise and a hare are having a 1000-meter race. The tortoise runs the race at a constant speed of 2.30 cm/s. The hare moves at an average speed of 1.50 m/s for 10.0 minutes and then decides to take a nap. After waking up from the nap, the hare recognizes that the tortoise is about to cross the finish line and immediately accelerates from rest with a constant acceleration of 0.500 m/s/s for the remaining distance of the race. If the tortoise wins by a hair (no pun intended), then what is the time in hours that the hare napped?

t for tortoise=50 000s t for hare without nap=620s

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I get 13.7hr when the answer is 11.9hr subtracting those amounts.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
How did you get that result?

ehild
 

Similar threads

Calculating the Length of the Tortoise-Hare Race
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Calculating Race Time and Length with Different Speeds and Rest Periods
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
A hare and a tortoise compete in a race Question? Distance and Time?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
Help: A hare and a tortoise problem
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
6K
Tortoise vs. Hare Race: Length of Race Solved
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Solve a Race Problem: Tortoise and Hare Finish Time and Length
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
General Physics Problem (Velocitys)
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Race between a Speedy Tortoise and a Resting Hare
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
9K
Arithmetic and Geometric Series
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
How Far Can the Hare Let the Tortoise Approach Before Resuming the Race?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K