How Do Two Cars Accelerating Towards Each Other Meet?

  • Thread starter sekishi
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In summary, the conversation is about two cars, a Prius and a RAV4, starting from rest and accelerating towards each other at different rates. The question asks for the point where the two cars will pass each other and how long it will take for them to do so. The confusion lies in the difference between the answers for part a and part b, with the correct answer being 900 for part a and 20 seconds for part b. The conversation also includes a request for initial thoughts and clarification on which kinematics equations to use.
  • #1
sekishi
2
0
..hi.. I am just a newbie here and i am just confuse in this question...
can you please help me...

A Prius and a RAV4 are initially at rest and 1.9 km apart start moving toward each other at the same time. The Prius accelerates at 5.0 m/s² and the RAV4 accelerates at 4.5 m/s² . assume that their acceleration is constant throughout the time duration.

a. At what point from the RAV4's starting point in m will the 2 cars pass each other?
b. how many seconds(from the starting point) will it take for them to pass each othr from the stating point?


why would the ans. in letter a is 900 and in b is 20 s
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF sekishi,

Please show some working or intial thoughts, you are required to do so before we can help you.

~H
 
  • #3
well... i don't know.. mmmhh,, i just add up 4.5 and 5 and get 9.5... i then divide it in 1900... and i got 200... not 900
 
  • #4
Okay, what kinematics equations do you know?

~H
 
  • #5
The important point to note here is that the numbers given are acclerations not velcoities.

~H
 

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