05:00
Physics: Principles with Applications
A car is behind a truck going 18 m/s on the highway. The car's driver looks for an opportunity to pass, guessing that his car can accelerate at 0.60 m/s$^2$ and that he has to cover the 20-m length of the truck, plus 10-m extra space at the rear of the truck and 10 m more at the front of it. In the oncoming lane, he sees a car approaching, probably at the speed limit, 25 m/s (55 mph). He estimates that the car is about 500 m away. Should he attempt the pass? Give details.