Question

A "moving sidewalk" in an airport terminal building moves at a speed of 1.2 m/s and is of length 36.0 m . A woman steps on at one end and walks at a speed 1.6 m/s relative to the moving sidewalk. A. How much time does she require to walk from one end to the other if she walks in the same direction the sidewalk is moving?
B. How much time does she require to walk from one end to the other if she walks opposite to the direction the sidewalk is moving? Express your answer using two significant figures.

Answer 1

Answer:

13 seconds

90 seconds

Explanation:

$V_s$=Velocity of sidewalk = 1.2 m/s

$V_w$=Velocity of woman = 1.6 m/s

Distance to travel = 36 m

Time = Distance / Speed

$\frac{s}{V_w+V_s}=t\\\Rightarrow t=\frac{36}{1.6+1.2}\\\Rightarrow t=12.857\ s$

Time taken by the woman if she walks in the same direction the sidewalk is moving is 13 seconds

$\frac{s}{V_w-V_s}=t\\\Rightarrow t=\frac{36}{1.6-1.2}\\\Rightarrow t=90\ s$

Time taken by the woman if she walks opposite to the direction the sidewalk is moving is 90 seconds