Problem 1.13 from Irodov’s “Problems in General Physics”

Rajarshi

I find myself thinking about one of the physics problems I encountered in school. Let me try to put it in a simple context. Imagine you are a hungry crow, and you see a truck full off delicious food. You start flying towards the truck at your maximum speed (v), while the truck, moves on a straight highway at a much slower pace (u). If right now you and the truck move perpendicular to eachother, when will you reach your lunch, given some distance (l) between you?

I have tried to document the different ways I have approached the problem and would be happy to discuss.

which serendipitously enough ends on “six-seven”. Let me know your thoughts. I consider this a rather difficult problem, as it took many brainstorming sessions with friends accompanied with hours of brooding on a piece of paper. I am considering releasing a YouTube video with some elegant manimations. I would be happy enough if it is used as a bed time story, sleep being the best outcome of any type of content.


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