Question

Two soccer players start from rest, 25 m apart. They run directly toward each other, both players accelerating. The first player’s acceleration has a magnitude of 0.54 m/s2. The second player’s acceleration has a magnitude of 0.40 m/s2. (a) How much time passes before the players collide? (b) At the instant they collide, how far has the first player run?

Answer 1

Use: s(t) = s(0) + v(0) t + (1/2) a t^2

Starting from rest, initial positions 25m apart, with the given accelerations:
s1(t) = (0.54/2) t^2
s2(t) = 25 - (0.40 /2) t^2
Let C be the time of collision:
s1(C) = s2(C)

(A) Solve for C.
(B) Find s1(C).