Two cars with constant acceleration meeting

In summary, the two cars are traveling towards each other on a 21.0m road with the left car having an acceleration of 2.4m/s^2 and the right car having an acceleration of 1.8m/s^2. The distance traveled by the left car up to the meeting point is 9 meters.
  • #1
DylanPHY
1
0

Homework Statement


Two cars travel towards one another on a 21.0m road, the car traveling to the left has an acceleration a_L=2.4m/s^2 the other car an a_R=1.8m/s^2. What is the distance traveled by the left car up to the meeting point?

Homework Equations


Left Car Right Car
O------------------|--------------------------------O
------->1.8m/s^2 2.4m/s^2<-------

The Attempt at a Solution


0.9t^2=21-1.2t^2
2.1t^2=21
t^2=10
t=sqrt(10)
0.9(10)=9m
So the left car should have traveled 9 meters and the right 12m, but it's not right and I don't see why.
 
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  • #2
Looks like you've calculated the distance for the car moving right rather than the car moving left.
 

Related to Two cars with constant acceleration meeting

What is the concept of "Two cars with constant acceleration meeting"?

The concept of "Two cars with constant acceleration meeting" refers to a scenario where two cars are moving on the same straight path and are accelerating at a constant rate. Eventually, these two cars will meet at a certain point on the path.

How is the meeting point of the two cars calculated?

The meeting point of the two cars can be calculated using the equations of motion, specifically the formula for displacement (s = ut + 1/2at^2). By setting the displacements of both cars equal to each other and solving for time, the time at which they will meet can be determined. This time can then be substituted into either car's displacement equation to find the meeting point.

What factors affect the meeting point of the two cars?

The meeting point of the two cars can be affected by various factors such as the initial velocities of the cars, the accelerations of the cars, and the distance between them. Additionally, external factors such as friction and air resistance can also play a role in determining the meeting point.

Can the two cars have different accelerations and still meet?

Yes, the two cars can have different accelerations and still meet. As long as their initial velocities and the distance between them allow for a meeting point, the specific accelerations do not have to be the same. However, the meeting point and time may be different compared to if the cars had the same acceleration.

What happens if the two cars have the same acceleration but different initial velocities?

If the two cars have the same acceleration but different initial velocities, they will still meet at a certain point on the path. However, the time it takes for them to meet will be different compared to if they had the same initial velocity. Additionally, the meeting point will also be affected by the distance between them.

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