Distance, Displacement, Speed, Velocity and Acceleration
 

Distance, Displacement, Speed, Velocity and Acceleration problem 20


A girl is riding a bicycle at a constant velocity of . At time , she passes a boy sitting on a bicycle that is stationary as illustrated by the diagram below.




At time , the boy sets off to catch up with the girl. He accelerates uniformly from time until he reaches a speed of in a time of . He then continues at a constant speed of . At time , the boy catches up with the girl.


is measured in seconds.


  • State, in terms of , the distance moved by the girl before the boy catches up with her.


  • For the boy, determine the distance moved during his acceleration.


  • For the boy, determine the distance moved during the time that he is moving at constant speed. Give your answer in terms of .


  • Use your answers in (a), (b) and (c) to determine the time taken for the boy to catch up with the girl.



 

main author and content editor: Odafe Adjeke