Two people start at the same place and walk around a circular lake in opposite directions. One has an angular speed of 1.5 10-3 rad/s, while the other has an angular speed of 3.2 10-3 rad/s. How long will it be before they meet?
This is ticking me off. I cannot figure out how to work this problem.
2006-11-04 06:33:50 · 3 answers · asked by Confused 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Oh, wow I feel stupid. Thanks soj!
2006-11-04 06:55:57 · update #1
Tell the other person to stop and you run at an angular speed that's the sum: (1.5 + 3.2)*10^-3 rad/s. How long before you cover the whole 2*pi*radians of the lake?
2006-11-04 06:46:16 · answer #1 · answered by sojsail 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cannot solve this problem, because you do not know the distance of one complete lap of the lake (i.e the circumference)
Circumference = 2*pi*r, but the radius is not specified. Once you specify it, use this formula to find the time:
Distance = Rate x Time
Since time is the same for both people, the equation simplifies to:
Distance = (Rate_1 + Rate_2)*Time
Therefore, Time = Circumference/(1.5E-3 + 3.2E-3)
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Hope this helps
2006-11-04 16:14:40 · answer #2 · answered by JSAM 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
: (1.5 + 3.2)*10^-3 rad/s?
2006-11-04 14:49:37 · answer #3 · answered by J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋