Question

The distance between two particles is decreasing at the rate of 6 m/s. If these particles travel with same speed and in the same direction, then the separation increases at the rate of 4 m/s. The particles have speed respectively as

Options

• 5 m/s; 1 m/s

• 4 m/s; 1 m/s

• 4 m/s; 2 m/s

• 5 m/s; 2 m/s

Answer 1

5 m/s; 1 m/s

Explanation:

When two particles approach each other, their relative speed increases.

v = v₁ + v₂ = 6 m/s  .....(i)

When all of these particles move in the same direction,

v = v₁ – v₂ = 4 m/s  ......(ii)

On solving, v₁ = 5 m/s and v₂ = 1 m/s.