An object is at rest at (2 ,4 ,1 ) and constantly accelerates at a rate of 4/5 ms^-1 as it moves to point B. If point B is at (6 ,6 ,7 ), how long will it take for the object to reach point B? Assume that all coordinates are in meters.

1 Answer
May 7, 2016

The distance between the points is 7.48 m.

The time taken is t=sqrt(d/a)=sqrt(7.48/0.8)~~3.06 s.

Explanation:

First find the distance between the points:

l=sqrt((x_2-x_1)^2+(y_2-y_1)^2+(z_2-z_1)^2)
=sqrt((6-2)^2+(6-4)^2+(7-1)^2)=sqrt(16+4+36)
=sqrt56~~7.48 m

An acceleration of 4/5 can be expressed as 0.8.

d=ut+at^2 can be rearranged to t=sqrt(d/a) when u=0 (which it is in this case).