Two particles are fired together along a smooth horizontal surface with velocities 4 m/s and 5 m/s. If they move at 60° to each other, find the distance between them in 2 seconds.
A. \(2\sqrt{61}\) B. \(\sqrt{42}\) C. \(2\sqrt{21}\) D. \(2\sqrt{10}\)
Correct Answer: C
Explanation
Given lines \(OA\) and \(OB\) inclined at angle \(\theta\), the line \(AB\) is gotten using cosine rule. \(|AB|^{2} = |OA|^{2} + |OB|^{2} - 2|OA||OB|\cos \theta\) \(|AB|^{2} = 4^{2} + 5^{2} - 2(4)(5)\cos 60\) = \(16 + 25 - 20\) \(|AB|^{2} = 21 \implies |AB| = \sqrt{21}\) \(\implies \text{The two particles are} \sqrt{21} m \text{apart in 1 sec}\) In two seconds, the particles will be \(2\sqrt{21} m\) apart.