Class 11 Physics simulations · Motion in a Plane

Three particles chasing each other (HC Verma)

Three particles at the corners of an equilateral triangle each move at speed v straight toward the next. Find when they meet. Source: Concept of Physics, H. C. Verma.

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What to notice

The triangle shrinks and turns but stays equilateral; each path is a spiral that ends at the centre O.

Key relation

T = 2a / 3v (speed toward the centre = v cos 30°)

Try this

Double the side a. Does the meeting time double? Double the speed v. What happens to T?

What you can change

• Side a: 1 to 10 m
• Speed v: 0.5 to 5 m/s

More in Motion in a Plane

• Projectile with air resistance
• Uniform circular motion
• Conical pendulum
• Horizontal projectile
• Projectile motion
• Projectile landing on a slope
• Six particles chasing on a hexagon (HC Verma)
• Boat crossing a river
• Vector addition: the parallelogram

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