Class 11 Physics simulations · Motion in a Straight Line

The catch-up problem

Release a faster cart after a delay and find where it catches a moving target.

Open the simulation

What to notice

Even a faster cart takes longer to catch a target if its start is delayed.

Key relation

tcatch = vfast·delay / (vfast − vslow)

Try this

Increase the delay and compare the meeting distance.

What you can change

• Target speed: 1 to 8 m/s
• Extra pursuit speed: 1 to 10 m/s
• Start delay: 0 to 5 s

More in Motion in a Straight Line

• Average vs instantaneous velocity
• Reaction and braking distance
• Motion in one dimension
• Rain and the tilted umbrella
• Relative velocity
• Vertical throw and the turning point
• Area under a v–t graph

See all Class 11 Physics simulations or every Physica simulation.