Will Tara collide with Sean's van in a tunnel?

  • Thread starter Thread starter stephi
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Major Physics
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
Sign up Log in
2 replies · 2K views
stephi
Messages
10
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Tara, driving at 30 m/s, enters a one-lane tunnel. She then observes Sean's slow moving van 155m ahead traveling at 5 m.s. Tara applies her brakes but can accelerate at only -2.00m/s/s because the road is wet. will there be a collision? if so, determine how far in the tunnel it occurs and at when it occurs. If not, determine the final distance between Tara and Sean.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


i don't know where to start!
 

Discussion

Physics news on Phys.org
Start by writing expressions for the position of each as a function of time. (One motion is just constant speed, the other is accelerated.) Measure the position of each from the tunnel entrance.

Once you have those expressions, you can solve for when and where they collide--if they do.
 
okay thanks! ill try that!