Traffic shock wave physics -- please explain

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the physics of traffic shock waves, illustrating how a car catching up to a slower queue creates a periodic event that affects the entire line of vehicles. Each time a car slows down, it causes the back of the queue to shift, resembling the behavior of a shock wave. If the queue moves forward more than a car's length during a cycle, the back moves downstream; if less, it moves backward. This dynamic highlights the relationship between individual vehicle actions and the collective movement of traffic. Understanding these principles can clarify the mechanics behind traffic flow and congestion.
Iron_Man_123
Messages
12
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Untitled.png


Homework Equations


N/A

The Attempt at a Solution


I can't even understand the question and what is happening in the situation :(
 
Physics news on Phys.org
A periodic event is occurring, which is that a car is catching up with the slower queue and abruptly slowing down. Each cycle of that event causes the back of the queue to move back by one car's length in the slow queue. The position of the back of the queue after each cycle is like the wave front of a shock wave. If the queue has moved forward by more than a car's length (plus buffer zone) during that cycle, the back of the queue will move forward (downstream). If the queue has moved forward by less than that length during each cycle, the back of the queue will move backwards.
 
  • Like
Likes Bystander

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

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...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

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...
View full post »

Similar threads

What is the mathematical model for a traffic shock wave?
Replies
22
Views
2K
Oblique shock waves: how to find the wedge angle for trailing shock?
Replies
1
Views
1K
Shock Wave Front: How Does Source Movement Create Waves?
Replies
2
Views
1K
Car test, and vibrations problem
Replies
2
Views
1K
I What is the speed of a shock wave?
Replies
13
Views
5K
Understanding Acceleration and Center of Mass in Shock Absorption
Replies
5
Views
2K
Contradictory Sources: Trying to understand waves on a rope being reflected at a boundary
Replies
22
Views
2K
Textbook 'The Physics of Waves': Calculating Work Done by Force
Replies
2
Views
823
Critical frequency of Faraday Waves?
Replies
6
Views
1K
Textbook 'The Physics of Waves': Derive Complex Solution Form for SHM
Replies
6
Views
863

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top