Correct Answer to Question 6

Let us start by choosing the initial conditions at t = 0 to be when car B is 186 m behind car A, as is shown on the right. Then we can write the equations for car B and car A as a function of time choosing X = 0 to be at A:

= 18.6 t
= 24.4 t - 186

Car B will "catch" car A, when car B and car A are at the same position. Thus if we equate to , we can solve for the time when car B has reached car A.

Another way to solve this problem is to find the velocity of A relative to B, (5.8 m/s) and use this velocity to solve for the time, (when the distance is 186 m).

Up to Unit 1 Table of Contents