Calculating relative velocity -- Jumping between two moving trains

[verkamp]

Homework Statement

two trains running parallel, same velocity. what happens if I jump from one train to another?

Relevant Equations

Vba = Vb - Va

is it possible?

I've given it quite some thought, and my conclusion was that it would be possible, cuz right after I jump, I'll still have the same velocity in the same direction as the running train?

 

[kuruman]

Homework Statement: two trains running parallel, same velocity. what happens if I jump from one train to another?
Relevant Equations: Vba = Vb - Va

is it possible?

I've given it quite some thought, and my conclusion was that it would be possible, cuz right after I jump, I'll still have the same velocity in the same direction as the running train?

You will have the same velocity but there will be a wind blowing you back at the same velocity. You cannot ignore air resistance in this case, so don't try it.

 

[jbriggs444]

You will have the same velocity but there will be a wind blowing you back at the same velocity. You cannot ignore air resistance in this case, so don't try it.

Track separation (center to center) in the U.S. is generally 14 feet minimum (source Michigan DOT department of rail). Passenger rail cars are a bit under 10 feet side to side (source various). So that is about 4.5 feet of train to train gap measured from toe of jumping foot to heel of landing foot. Doable, but not supremely safe.

Watch out for signal posts.

 

[berkeman]

Looks like this experiment has been carried out, at least once...