Two particles, constant acceleration, when do they collide?

[denxnis]

Homework Statement

Speedy Sue, driving at 33.0 m/s, enters a one-lane tunnel. She then observes a slow-moving van 165 m ahead traveling with velocity 5.20 m/s. Sue applies her brakes but can accelerate only at -2.00 m/s2 because the road is wet.

Will there be a collision?

If yes, determine how far into the tunnel and at what time the collision occurs. If no, determine the distance of closest approach between Sue's car and the van and enter zero for the time.

Homework Equations

Vx - Current velocity
V0 - Initial velocity
a - acceleration
x - Final Position
x0 - Initial displacement

vx^2 = v0+2a(x-x0)

The Attempt at a Solution

By doing a graph I estimated a crash at about 6-7 seconds but that is as far as I got...

I am completely stumpted on this "two particles" deal... I tried the above formula and somehow ended up with a 0 on the bottom because the van does not accelerate...

Any help / answer / example would be very much appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[rl.bhat]

vx^2 = v0+2a(x-x0)
This formula is wrong. It should be
vx^2 = vo^2 + 2a*(x - xo)
Using given values, find x. xo is zero.
Using vx = xo + at, find t.
When Sue and van meet, they must have traveled for the same time interval t.
Find the distance s traveled by the van is time t.
Compare x and s, and decide whether they just meet, collide or Sue falls behind.

 

[denxnis]

Thank you very much.

 

[cc21392001]

vx^2 = v0+2a(x-x0)
This formula is wrong. It should be
vx^2 = vo^2 + 2a*(x - xo)
Using given values, find x. xo is zero.
Using vx = xo + at, find t.
When Sue and van meet, they must have traveled for the same time interval t.
Find the distance s traveled by the van is time t.
Compare x and s, and decide whether they just meet, collide or Sue falls behind.

how do you know what vx^2 is in the bolded equation? thanks in advance

i've been staring at this problem for an hr...is vx^2, or velocity final, just 5.20 m/s? i don't know of any other way to derive v(final)...arg

 

[cc21392001]

anybody? :(

 

[rl.bhat]

anybody? :(

vx is the final velocity of Sue when she travels 165 m.