Serway & Jewett — Motion in One Dimension: Problem 23

At \( t = 0 \), one toy car is set rolling on a straight track with initial position \( 15.0 \text{ cm} \), initial velocity \( -3.50 \text{ cm/s} \), and constant acceleration \( 2.40 \text{ cm/s}^2 \). At the same moment, another toy car is set rolling on an adjacent track with initial position \( 10.0 \text{ cm} \), initial velocity \( +5.50 \text{ cm/s} \), and constant acceleration zero. (a) At what time, if any, do the two cars have equal speeds? (b) What are their speeds at that time? (c) At what time(s), if any, do the cars pass each other? (d) What are their locations at that time? (e) Explain the difference between question (a) and question (c) as clearly as possible.