tempest33k
Feb5-06, 11:31 PM
I am having trouble getting going on this problem and I'm hoping someone can help get me started.
A car with a mass of 1000 kg approaches a toll plaza. The clearance on either side of the car as it passes through the toll gate is 1 m. (a) What is the minimum speed at which the car can approach the gate and be reasonably sure of not scraping on either side? (b) How many years will it take the car to go through the gate if it is 5 m long?
I have no idea how to do solve this. Originally I thought about using Heisenberg's uncertainty principle and setting delta x = 1 m. Yet I don't see how the uncertainty in that direction is related to a perpendicular velocity that the car would be approaching in. Perhaps I just don't understand the concept fully, as I don't see why there is a minimum speed I must be going to be sure I won't hit the side.
I will be grateful for any help.
Cheers.
A car with a mass of 1000 kg approaches a toll plaza. The clearance on either side of the car as it passes through the toll gate is 1 m. (a) What is the minimum speed at which the car can approach the gate and be reasonably sure of not scraping on either side? (b) How many years will it take the car to go through the gate if it is 5 m long?
I have no idea how to do solve this. Originally I thought about using Heisenberg's uncertainty principle and setting delta x = 1 m. Yet I don't see how the uncertainty in that direction is related to a perpendicular velocity that the car would be approaching in. Perhaps I just don't understand the concept fully, as I don't see why there is a minimum speed I must be going to be sure I won't hit the side.
I will be grateful for any help.
Cheers.