Using t for time, and s for the delay,
ut - (g/2)t^2 = u(t-s) - (g/2)(t-s)^2
ut - (g/2)t^2 = ut - us + gst - (g/2)t^2 - (g/2)s^2
-(g/2)s^2 - us + gst = 0
gst = us + (g/2)s^2
t = u/g + s/2
reverting to the t notation originally used, ta-da!
ut - (g/2)t^2 = u(t-s) - (g/2)(t-s)^2
ut - (g/2)t^2 = ut - us + gst - (g/2)t^2 - (g/2)s^2
-(g/2)s^2 - us + gst = 0
gst = us + (g/2)s^2
t = u/g + s/2
reverting to the t notation originally used, ta-da!
Let's break down the motion of each particle individually:
Particle 1:
- Initial velocity = u m/s (projected vertically upward)
- Acceleration due to gravity = g m/s² (acting downward)
Using the equation of motion for vertical motion under constant acceleration, we can find the time taken by the first particle to reach maximum height (vertex):
v = u + at
0 = u - gt
t_v = u/g (Time taken to reach maximum height, vertex)
Particle 2:
- Initial velocity = u m/s (projected vertically upward)
- Acceleration due to gravity = g m/s² (acting downward)
- Time elapsed = t seconds (time passed since particle 1 was launched)
Since both particles have the same initial velocity, the second particle will follow the same path as the first particle, starting from the same point after t seconds have passed.
Now, let's find the total time for the second particle to reach the maximum height (vertex), which is the same as the time taken by the first particle after t seconds have passed:
t_v2 = t + t_v
= t + u/g
To determine the time when the two particles meet, we need to find the time taken by particle 2 to fall from its maximum height to the ground, which is the same time taken by particle 1 to fall from its maximum height to the ground.
Using the equation of motion for vertical motion under constant acceleration, we can determine this time:
s = ut + (1/2)at² (where s is the displacement, u is the initial velocity, t is the time, and a is the acceleration)
Let's find the time taken by particle 1 to fall from its maximum height to the ground:
s = 0 (since the particle falls to the same point it was projected from)
-0.5gt_f² = 0
t_f = √(0/(-0.5g)) = √(0) = 0
Similarly, particle 2 (after t seconds) would also take the same time to fall:
t_f2 = 0
Finally, adding the times together:
Total time = t_v2 + t_f2
= t + u/g + 0
= t + u/g
= u/g + t
Thus, the two particles will meet after a lapse of time equal to (u/g + t) seconds.
However, it seems there was a mistake in the question, as it states that they will meet after (u/g + t/2) seconds. This is incorrect. The correct time is (u/g + t) seconds.