A cyclist traveling at constant speed of 12m/s when he passes a stationary bus. The bus starts moving just as the cyclist passes and accelerates uniformly at 1.5ms² a) When does the bus reach the same speed as the cyclist?
b)how long does the bus take to catch the cyclist?
c) What distance has the cyclist travelled travelled before the bus catches up?

A.) 8 seconds

B.) 16 seconds

C.) 48 m

Explanation:

Given that a cyclist traveling at constant speed of 12 m/s

and the bus accelerates uniformly at 1.5ms²

A.) The bus has the following parameters

Acceleration a = 1.5 m/s^2

Initial velocity U = 0. Since the bus is starting from rest.

Final velocity V = 12 m/s

Use equation one of linear motion.

V = U + at

Substitute V, U and a into the formula

12 = 0 + 1.5t

1.5t = 12

t = 12/1.5

t = 8 seconds

Therefore, the bus reach the same speed as the cyclist at 8 seconds.

B.) For the cyclist moving at constant speed, acceleration a = 0. Using second equation of motion

h = Ut + 1/2at^2

Since a = 0, the equation is reduced to:

h = Ut.

Also, for the bus,

h = Ut + 1/2at^2

Equate the two equations since the h is the same

Ut = Ut + 1/2at^2

Substitute all the parameters into the formula

12t = 0 + 1/2 × 1.5t^2

12t = 0.75t^2

0.75t = 12

t = 12/0.75

t = 16 seconds

Therefore, the bus takes 16 seconds to catch the cyclist

C.) Use third equation of linear motion.

V^2 = U^2 + 2as

Where s = distance

Substitute V, U and a into the formula

12^2 = 0 + 2 × 1.5 S

144 = 3S

S = 144/3

S = 48 m

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