Question

Two motorcycles are traveling due east with different velocities. However, 5.68 seconds later, they have the same velocity. During this 5.68-second interval, motorcycle A has an average acceleration of 3.87 m/s2 due east, while motorcycle B has an average acceleration of 18.2 m/s2 due east. (a) By how much did the speeds differ at the beginning of the 5.68-second interval, and (b) which motorcycle was moving faster?

Answer 1

The answer is below

Step-by-step explanation:

Let a be the initial velocity of motorcycle A and b be the initial velocity of motorcycle B.

After 5.68 seconds, both motorcycle had the same velocity (v), therefore for motorcycle A:

(a - v) / 5.68 = 3.87

a - v = 21.9816

v = a - 21.9816

For motorcycle B:

(b - v) / 5.68 = 18.2

b - v = 103.376

v = b - 103.376

Therefore:

a - 21.9816 = b - 103.376

b - a = -21.9816 + 103.376

b - a = 81.3944

a) The difference between their speeds at the beginning was 81.3944 m/s

b) Since b - a = 81.3944. This means that the initial velocity of motorcycle B is greater than that of motorcycle A by 81.3944 m/s.

Therefore motorcycle B was moving faster