Solving for x: A Narrow Bridge Challenge

  • Thread starter Thread starter qswdefrg
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Bridge Challenge
AI Thread Summary
To solve the problem of crossing a 1km bridge before being hit by a truck traveling at 90km/h, one must express the time needed to reach either end of the bridge as a function of the distance from the far end, x. The truck's time to reach the end of the bridge can be calculated based on its speed. The key is to set the time it takes for the runner to reach the end equal to the time it takes for the truck to reach the same point. There are two possible distances from the far end where the runner can safely escape before the truck arrives. Understanding these calculations is crucial for determining the safe distance.
qswdefrg
Messages
20
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



You are crossing a narrow bridge 1km long when you notice a truck approaching at 90km/h. If you can run at 5m/s, how far from the far end must you be if you could reach either end just before being hit by the truck?

2ltgg1j.jpg


My attempt

Displacement between the two: 1000 - x + d
When displacement is 0, they will meet? I can't seem to solve for x... I end up with more variables than I have equations. :S
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Express the time you need to reach bridge end as a function of x, calculate the time truck needs to reach the end of the bridge. If truck needs more time, you will make it.

Note that there are two answers to the question.
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top