Collision inbound

Two particles, A A and C C move in the same plane with constant velocities. The magnitude of velocity of A A is 10 m/s 10 \text{ m/s} . The velocity vector of A A initially makes an angle of 30 degrees with the line joining A A and C C . What must be the minimum magnitude of velocity of C C in S.I units, such that they collide?


The answer is 5.

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1 solution

Harsh Shrivastava
Mar 15, 2016

(Everything is expressed in SI unit, i have omitted writing units.)

Let initial distance between A and C be A C = k AC = k . This remains constant.

Now let velocity of C be x x and let the time when they meet be t t .

Assume that they meet at point H.

Thus, AH = 10t and CH = xt and AC=k

Applying cosine rule in triangle ACH,

cos 3 0 = k 2 + 100 t 2 ( x t ) 2 10 t k \cos 30^ \circ = \dfrac{k^{2} + 100t^{2}-(xt)^{2}}{10tk}

Arranging a little bit, t 2 ( 100 x 2 ) ( 10 3 k ) t + k 2 = 0 t^{2}(100-x^{2}) -(10 \sqrt{3}k)t + k^{2} = 0

Now since t t is real, the above equation's discriminant should be greater than or equal to 0.

300 k 2 400 k 2 + 4 ( x k ) 2 0 \implies 300k^{2}-400k^{2} + 4(xk)^{2} \geq 0

x 5 \implies \boxed{x \geq 5}

What is k? I assume it is d.

A Former Brilliant Member - 5 years, 3 months ago

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Yeah sorry a typo.

Fixed.

Harsh Shrivastava - 5 years, 3 months ago

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