Physics question help?
Question
Two sections of a train track are 1 mile each. They are attached to each other forming a straight line. Each track expands 1.00 ft in length under the hot sun causing the track to buckle. If each section of track remains straight, how far does the midpoint deflect? (Answer in feet)
in progress
0
General Physics
5 years
1 Answer
866 views
0
Answer ( 1 )
Before expansion, the 2 pieces of track are like this:
A. . . M . . .B
where M is mid-point where the tracks join. AM = BM = 1mile = 5280 ft.
After expansion, the 2 pieces of track are like this:
. . . . .P
A. . . M . . .B
where P is point where the now raised ends of the tracks join.
AP = BP = 5280+1 ft = 5281 ft
We want distance MP. Using Pythagoras:
AP² = MP² + AM²
5281² = MP² + 5280²
MP² = 5281² – 5280²
. . . . = 10561
MP = √10561
. . . = 103 ft