A Metra train is at rest at the train station. You are running with a constant speed of 4.0m/s. When you are 7.50m from the back end of the train, the train begins accelerating away from you at 0.12m/s^2. Can you catch the train?

If so, when do you catch the train? If not, how close do you get?

1 Answer
Andrea B.
Oct 12, 2017

yes

Explanation:

how much time takes the train to attain a speed of 4m/s? from the kinetic equation
v= a xx t
you have
t= v/a= (4 m/s) / (0,12 m/s^2)= 33,3s
now what distance that do you run in 33 s?
s= v xx t = 4m/s 33,3s= 133,3 m
How much is the distance that does the train run in that time?
s= 1/2 a xx t^2= 1/2 xx 0,12 m/s^2 xx (33,3s)^2= 66,5 m
since the train travels 66,5 m and you 133,3 m and it is only 7,5 m far, you can catch the train.
But the doors are correctly closed and you can't

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