Traffic shock wave, an abrupt slowdown in concentrated traffic can travel as a pulse, termed a shock

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Traffic shock wave, an abrupt slowdown in concentrated traffic can travel as a pulse, termed a shock wave, along the line of cars, either downstream (in the traffic direction) or upstream, or it can be stationary. Figure 2-23 shows a uniformly spaced line of cars moving at speed v - 25.0m/s toward a uniformly spaced line of slow cars moving at speed vs = 5.00 m/s. Assume that each faster car adds length L = 12.0 m (car length plus buffer zone) to the line of slow cars when it joins the line, and assume it slows abruptly at the last instant.(a) For what separation distance d between the faster cars does the shock wave remain stationary? If the separation is twice that amount, what are the(b) Speed and(c) Direction (upstream or downstream) of the shockwave?image

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Fundamentals of Physics

ISBN: 978-0471758013

8th Extended edition

Authors: Jearl Walker, Halliday Resnick

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