Question

A particle P with speed 140 m s–1begins to decelerate uniformly at a certain instant while another particle Q starts from rest 6 s later and accelerates uniformly. When the second particle Q has travelled 125 m, both particles have a speed of 25 m s–1.i)Show the motion of both on the same speed-time curve. ii)How many seconds after the commencement of deceleration does the first particle P come to rest? Solution

Answer 1

i) The motion of both particles are shown on the same speed-time curve included

ii) Approximately 19.5 seconds

Step-by-step explanation:

We are given that;

Initial velocity of particle, P = 140 m/s

Start time of particle P = 6 s before start time of particle Q

Position of particle Q when velocity is 25 m/s = 125 m

Therefore, from the equation of motion, we have for particle Q;

v² = u² + 2·a·s

Where:

v = Final velocity = 25 m/s

u = Initial velocity = 0 m/s

a = Acceleration

s = Distance covered = 125 m

Therefore;

25² = 0² + 2×a×125

Which gives a = 25²/(2×125) = 2.5 m/s²

The time taken for particle Q to reach 125 m is found from the relation;

s = u·t + 1/2·a·t²

Where:

t = Time of journey

Therefore;

125 = 0×t + 1/2×2.5×t²

Which gives 125 = 1.25 × t²

Hence, t² = 125/1.25 = 100

t = √(100) = 10 s

The equation for particle Q is v = 0 + 2.5×t

Hence, since particle P starts deceleration 6 seconds before the commencement of motion of particle Q, the amount of seconds after the commencement of deceleration of the first particle P that it takes for particle P to come to rest is found as follows;

Hence, at t = 6 + 10 = 16 seconds particle P speed = 25 m/s

From the equation of motion, for particle P (decelerating) we have

v = u - a·t

Where:

v = 25 m/s

u = 140 m/s

t = 16 s

Hence, 25 = 140 - a×16

∴ 16·a = 140 - 25 = 115

a = 115/16 = 7.1875 m/s²

Therefore, the time it takes before particle P comes to rest is found from the same equation of motion, where v = 0 as follows;

v = u - a·t

0 = 140 - 7.1875 × t

∴7.1875·t = 140

t = 140/7.1875 = 19.48 s ≈ 19.5 seconds.