Catch/Overtake Problems Practice Problems
A runner is at rest at the start line of an athletic field and is passed by his trainer, who is moving at a constant speed of 4.5 m/s on his bike. When his trainer passes the start line, the runner begins to accelerate, increasing his speed by applying a constant acceleration of 0.75 m/s2. Determine the speed of the runner when he catches his trainer.
A police officer at rest on a sidewalk is passed by a thief running at a steady speed of 3.50 m/s. Just as the thief exceeds him, the police officer accelerates at a rate of 1.00 m/s2. Determine the distance the police officer travels before catching the thief.
A van of Swift (a company that delivers packages) was initially parked at Cornelia Street. Then, it starts moving with an acceleration of 3.2 m/s2. At the instant it has started moving, a van of its competitor, Thunder, traveling with a constant speed of 22.0 m/s, overtakes and passes the van of Swift. What is the speed of the van of Swift when it overtakes the van of Thunder?
A van of Swift (a company that delivers packages) was initially parked at Cornelia Street. Then, it starts moving with an acceleration of 3.2 m/s2. At the instant it has started moving, a van of its competitor, Thunder, traveling with a constant speed of 22.0 m/s, overtakes and passes the van of Swift. Determine the distance from the starting point that the van of Swift overtakes the van of Thunder.