College Physics (4th Edition)

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073512141
ISBN 13: 978-0-07351-214-3

Chapter 3 - Problems - Page 115: 76

Answer

It will take 4.2 minutes for the two cars to meet.

Work Step by Step

Let north be the positive direction. Let $v_{B,r}$ be the velocity of the BMW relative to the road. $v_{B,r} = 100.0~km/h$ Let $v_{V,r}$ be the velocity of the VW relative to the road. $v_{V,r} = -42.0~km/h$ We can find $v_{B,V}$, the velocity of the BMW relative to the VW: $v_{B,r} = v_{B,V}+v_{V,r}$ $v_{B,V} = v_{B,r}-v_{V,r}$ $v_{B,V} = 100.0~km/h-(-42.0~km/h)$ $v_{B,V} = 142.0~km/h$ The velocity of the BMW relative to the VW is $142.0~km/h$ north We can find the time it takes the BMW to meet the VW: $t = \frac{d}{v} = \frac{10.0~km}{142.0~km/h} = 0.07~h = 4.2~min$ It will take 4.2 minutes for the two cars to meet.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.