Relative Velocity moving sidewalk

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the time required for a person to traverse a 12-meter moving sidewalk at an airport, which moves at a speed of 1.5 m/s. When walking in the same direction as the sidewalk, the person's effective speed is 3.3 m/s (1.5 m/s + 1.8 m/s), resulting in a time of approximately 3.64 seconds to reach the opposite end. Conversely, when walking against the sidewalk, the effective speed is 0.3 m/s (1.8 m/s - 1.5 m/s), leading to a time of 40 seconds to complete the distance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of relative velocity concepts
  • Basic knowledge of speed, distance, and time relationships
  • Familiarity with the formula: time = distance / speed
  • Ability to perform basic arithmetic operations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study relative velocity problems in physics
  • Practice using the formula for time calculations in various scenarios
  • Explore real-world applications of moving sidewalks and their design
  • Learn about the effects of different speeds on travel time in transportation systems
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching motion concepts, and anyone interested in understanding relative motion in practical scenarios.

Rose1996
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A "moving sidewalk" at an airport moves at 1.5m/s and is 12 m long. A person enters the sidewalk and walks at 1.8 m/s relative to the sidewalk.
A)How much time is required for the person to reach the opposite end if the person walks in the same direction as the sidewalk is moving?
B) How much time is required for the person to reach the opposite end if the person walks in the opposite direction?The attempt at a solution
Sorry! My professor didn't really explain how to do this so I'm stuck on this problem. Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Make an attempt.
What formulae might you be able to use, if you're calculating duration, given distance and speed?
 

Similar threads

Relative velocity during a race?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
How Many Strides on a Moving Sidewalk?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
Ray optics: velocity of image reflected off a moving mirror
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
The speed of the point of intersection of two uniformly moving lines
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
2K
Calculating Relative Motion on a Moving Sidewalk
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Momentum: instantaneous or average?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
Is My Approach to Calculating Relative Velocity Correct?
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
Relative vectors - how do you determine?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
River-boat problem (Relative velocity)
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
7K
Relative velocity passing a ball between two soccer players
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K