Two small boys are sitting on sleds on a horizontal, frozen lakewhere friction i

Question

Two small boys are sitting on sleds on a horizontal, frozen lakewhere friction is negligible. The boys are each holding on to oneend of a rope. Each boy simultaneously begins to pull on his end ofthe rope with a constant force of 20.0 N. The boys continue to pullon the rope until the two sleds meet. Assume that the mass of oneboy is 30.0 kg, while that of the second is 45.0 kg. The two sledsare initially separated by a distance of 100.0 m. What distancewill be covered by each boy in causing the two sleds to meet?

Explanation / Answer

since this is a physics problem start with: F=ma 20=30a or 2/3=a and 20=45a or 4/9=a from there use the general equation of distance: s=so+vot+(1/2)at2 (if this equation is not in your book please let me know I'lldescribe it to ya =) ) when the problem says: starts to pull this means the initialvelocity is 0m/s for both. Now setting up two equations: s=0+0t+(1/2)*(2/3)t2 this is the tricky part. . .since we set that up the other boy hasto start from the other end and head towards the other way the equation is: s=100-(1/2)*(4/9)t2 (notice the minus sign!!) solving will give you an answer around 60 meters=)

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