How Close Does the Truck Get to the Car During Acceleration?

  • Thread starter Amel
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In summary, the truck traveling at 92.0 km/hr approaches a car stopped at a red light, which begins to accelerate at 2.80 m/s2 to a final speed of 125.0 km/hr when the light turns green. The truck reaches its closest distance to the car when their velocities are equal, which can be found by setting their velocities equal to each other. The distance between them can also be expressed as a function to find the minimum distance.
  • #1
Amel
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Homework Statement



To save fuel, some truck drivers try to maintain a constant speed when possible. A truck traveling at 92.0 km/hr approaches a car stopped at the red light. When the truck is 121.2 meters from the car the light turns green and the car immediately begins to accelerate at 2.80 m/s2 to a final speed of 125.0 km/hr. How close does the truck come to the car assuming the truck does not slow down?

and How far from the stop light has the car traveled when the truck reaches its closest distance?


So what do I need to do here, I am not even sure which equations to use. Do I need to set the x of both equal to each other?

Can some one please walk me through this problem.
 
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  • #2
never mind figured it out, they are closest to each other when their velocity is the same. so you set the V equal to each other.
 
  • #3
Amel said:
never mind figured it out, they are closest to each other when their velocity is the same. so you set the V equal to each other.

Can you express the distance between them as a function? Then it would be possible to find a minimum, which would be the closest distance.
 
  • #4
kbaumen said:
Can you express the distance between them as a function? Then it would be possible to find a minimum, which would be the closest distance.

Works too, but the OP's approach is much easier, albeit less straightforward. Good job, OP!
 

FAQ: How Close Does the Truck Get to the Car During Acceleration?

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