Solve Kinematics Problem: Car & Truck Displacement at Intersection

In summary, the conversation is about a car and a truck approaching an intersection. The car accelerates at a rate of 1.8m/s^2 and the truck is traveling at a constant velocity of 8.5m/s. The question is about the displacement of the car when it passes the truck and what time this will occur. The formula d = v_i t + 1/2at^2 is suggested as a way to solve the problem, and the person trying to solve it is grateful for the tip and not just being given the answer outright. They were able to solve the problem successfully.
  • #1
Washable_Marker
12
0
Hello, thanks for reading =)

Let's just jump into it...
At the instant the light turns green, a car accelerates from rest at a rate of 1.8m/s^2. A truck gets to the intersection by the time the light changes [and therefore doesn't have to stop]. The truck is traveling at a constant velocity of 8.5m/s.

What will be the displacement of the car [assuming the intersection is 0] when it passes the truck, and at what time will this occur?

----------------

I've been trying to solve it by using a displacement-time graph, but obviously the car will have a curved graph, and I can't figure out the equation of it's line. Any tips on how to go about this, as well as tips to solve the question would be great.

Thanks!
 
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  • #2
you will find this formula useful:
[tex]d = v_i t + 1/2at^2[/tex]
 
  • #3
Aha! Just what I was looking for, and thanks for not giving me the answer outright, it made it much more rewarding to get the right answer.

Thanks again!
 
  • #4
Did you get the right answer? And I'm glad you appreciate when people don't just give away the solution. :)
 
  • #5
Yep, got it. That was all I needed for it to click in my brain.
 

FAQ: Solve Kinematics Problem: Car & Truck Displacement at Intersection

How do you calculate the displacement of a car and truck at an intersection?

To calculate the displacement of a car and truck at an intersection, we need to first determine the initial and final positions of both vehicles. This can be done by measuring the distance between the two vehicles at the start and end of the intersection. Next, we can use the formula: displacement = final position - initial position to find the displacement of each vehicle.

What is the difference between displacement and distance traveled?

Displacement refers to the change in position of an object, while distance traveled refers to the total distance covered by an object. Displacement takes into account the direction of movement, while distance traveled does not. For example, if a car travels 10 miles east and then 10 miles west, its displacement would be 0 miles, but its distance traveled would be 20 miles.

Can the displacement of a car and truck at an intersection be negative?

Yes, the displacement of a car and truck at an intersection can be negative. This occurs when the final position of the vehicle is less than the initial position, indicating that the vehicle has moved in the opposite direction. For example, if a car starts at position 5 and ends at position 3, its displacement would be -2.

How do you determine the direction of displacement for a car and truck at an intersection?

The direction of displacement for a car and truck at an intersection can be determined by comparing the final position with the initial position. If the final position is greater than the initial position, the displacement is considered positive and the object has moved in the forward direction. If the final position is less than the initial position, the displacement is considered negative and the object has moved in the reverse direction.

What are some common units used for displacement?

The most common units used for displacement are meters (m) and kilometers (km). However, depending on the scale of the problem, other units such as centimeters (cm), feet (ft), or miles (mi) may also be used. It is important to use consistent units when solving kinematics problems to avoid errors.

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