Dynamics - Minimum Distance Between Two Cars - Kinematics of Particles

Dealing with two cars decelerating at two different times. We determine the minimum distance the two cars can be from each other to avoid a collision using our kinematic equations

This topic is part of the FE exam

For people who need a better visual on whats going on here is a Python code I made to better show whats happening.

from visual import*

scene.width = 1024
scene.height = 600

CarA = sphere(pos=vector(13.5,0,0), radius = 1, color=color.red)
CarB = sphere(pos=vector(0,0,0), radius = 1, color=color.blue)
Va = vector(51,0,0)
Vb = vector(60,0,0)
AA = vector(-12,0,0)
AB = vector (-15,0,0)
t = 0
dt = .1
while t (less than) 5:
   rate(10)
   Va = Va + AA*dt
   Vb = Vb + AB*dt
   CarA.pos = CarA.pos + Va*dt
   CarB.pos = CarB.pos + Vb*dt
   t = t + dt


Problem taken from Dynamics 14th Ed. by Hibbeler problem 12-17

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