At time , Car A passes point on a straight highway traveling eastward at
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
At time t=0, Car A passes point P on a straight highway traveling eastward at 20m/s. Immediately after passing P, Car A begins to slow down with a constant westward acceleration of magnitude 3.0m/s2. At the same instant, Car B is located 50m west of point P and is moving eastward (toward P) at 30m/s. Car B continues to accelerate eastward at a constant 2.0m/s2.
Assume eastward is the positive direction and both cars stay in the same straight lane.
(a) Derive an algebraic expression for the position of each car as a function of time t(s), taking point P as the origin.
(b) Using your expressions from part (a), determine the time at which Car B overtakes Car A. Show all algebraic steps and clearly indicate how you solved for the time.
(c) Calculate the speed of each car at the instant they are side by side.