- #1
Melchior25
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Homework Statement
Speedy Sue, driving at 35.0 m/s, enters a one-lane tunnel. She then observes a slow-moving van 155 m ahead traveling at 5.30 m/s. Sue applies her brakes but can accelerate only at -2.00 m/s2 because the road is wet. Will there be a collision?
yes
If yes, determine how far into the tunnel and at what time the collision occurs.
Homework Equations
0=at^2-bt+c
where a is the given acceleration, b is the combined velocities, and c is that specified initial distance that the cars were from each other.
Xf = Xi + (Vi)t +0.5(a)(t^2) for Sue's car and set it equal to Xf = Xi + (Vi)t
155+5.3*t= distance (m)
The Attempt at a Solution
I ran the numbers through the quadratic equation and got 23.4543 s for my time. I then plugged that time value into the distance equation above and got 279.308 m. However both of my answers are wrong. I'm a bit lost and could use a little help.