Answer:
You have to run 73.8 m at a speed of 11.9 m/s
Explanation:
The equation for the position of an accelerated object moving in a straight line is as follows:
x = x0 + v0 · t + 1/2 · a · t²
where:
x = position at time t
x0 = initial position
v0 = initial speed
t = time
a = acceleration
If the object has no acceleration, then, a = 0 and x = x0 + v · t, where v is the constant velocity.
When you catch the rear of the bus, its position and yours will be the same:
your position = position of the bus
x0 + v0 · t + 1/2 · a · t² = x0 + v · t
since you start from rest and the origin of the reference system is located at the point where you start running, x0 and v0 = 0.
The initial position of the bus will be 12.0 m because this was its position relative to you when you started running. Then:
1/2 · 0.960 m/s² · t² = 12.0 m + 5.00 m/s · t
0.480 m/s² · t² - 5.00 m/s · t - 12.0 m = 0
solving this quadratic equation:
t = 12.4 s (The other solution is negative and therefore discarded)
Now, with this time, we can calculate your position:
x = 1/2 · a · t²
x = 1/2 · 0.960 m/s² · (12.4 s)² = 73.8 m
Your speed can be calculated with the equation for speed:
v = v0 + a · t
Since v0 = 0
v = a · t
v = 0.960 m/s² · 12.4 s = 11.9 m/s (really fast!)