The time for the police car to catch up with the speeding motorist is 7.6 seconds.
The police car and the motorist will cover equal distances.
Let the distance covered be d.
Distance covered by the motorist = speed * time
time = t, speed = 30 m/s
d = 30t
Distance covered by the police car = acceleration * (time)
time = t - 2, acceleration = 5.0 m/s²
d = 5(t-2)²
d = 5(t² - 4t + 4)
d = 5t² - 20t + 20
Equating the two equations for distance
5t² - 20t + 20 = 30t
5t² - 50t + 20 = 0
Solving for t using the quadratic formula:
t = 9.6 second or 0.4 seconds
Since t > 2, t = 9.6 seconds
t - 2 = 9.6 - 2
t - 2 = 7.6 seconds
Therefore, the time for the police car to catch up with the speeding motorist is 7.6 seconds.
Learn more about distance and acceleration at: https://brainly.com/question/14344386
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