How Long Does It Take for a Wall to Pass a Train Window?

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SUMMARY

The problem involves calculating the time it takes for the upper edge of a wall, sloping at a 12-degree angle, to pass a train window while the train moves at a speed of 3.0 m/s. The wall first appears at corner A of the window and disappears at corner B, which requires determining the total horizontal distance traveled by the wall as it passes the window. The solution necessitates the use of trigonometry to find the correct distance, which is greater than the window's width of 2.0 m. The final time is calculated by dividing the total horizontal distance by the train's speed.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic kinematics, specifically the relationship between distance, speed, and time.
  • Knowledge of trigonometry, particularly how to calculate distances using angles.
  • Familiarity with drawing and interpreting geometric representations of problems.
  • Ability to analyze and correct mathematical errors in calculations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of kinematics in one-dimensional motion.
  • Learn how to apply trigonometric functions to solve real-world problems involving angles and distances.
  • Practice drawing geometric representations to visualize problems involving moving objects.
  • Review common mistakes in basic arithmetic and multiplication to improve calculation accuracy.
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on kinematics and trigonometry, as well as educators looking for examples of real-world applications of these concepts.

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Homework Statement


You are on a train that is traveling 3.0 m/s (to the left direction) along a level straight track. very near and parallel to the track is a wall that slopes upward at a 12 degree angle with the horizontal. As you face the windoes (.90 m high), (2.0 m wide) in your compartment, the train is moving to the left. The top edge of the wall 1st appears at window corner A and eventually disappears at window corner A and eventually disappears
at window corner B. How much time passes between appearance and disappearance of the upper edge of the wall.

Homework Equations


Time= distance/average speed


The Attempt at a Solution



I multiplied .90 and 2.0 and I got .18m and then I divided it by 3.0 and I got .06 s. This is way off. What do I need to do.
 
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Why did you multiply the lengths?

You need to find the horizontal distance travelled... draw a picture... how do the window and wall look right as the wall appears... and draw another picture right when the wall leaves...

What is the total horizontal distance? Hint: it is more than 2.0m. you'll need a little trig. Once you get the distance, divide by velocity to get time.
 
?? Even your multiplication is wrong: if the window has width 2.0 m and height 0.9 m, then it has area 1.8 m2- but that has nothing to do with the problem.
 

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