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A 200 m long train passes a man standing on a platform in 10 seconds. How long will it take to cross another 350 m long train running at 60 km/h in the opposite direction?
15 seconds
12 seconds
14 seconds
16 seconds
15 seconds
Calculate v1 = 200/10 = 20 m/s. Convert v2 = 60 * 5/18 = 50/3 m/s. Sum speeds = 20 + 16.67 = 36.67 m/s. Total distance = 550 m. Time = 550 / (110/3) = 15 s.
Length of train 1 (L1) = 200 m, Time taken to cross a man (t1) = 10 s, Length of train 2 (L2) = 350 m, Speed of train 2 (v2) = 60 km/h.
Speed=TimeDistance, vrelative=v1+v2, Time=RelativeSpeedDistance
Calculate v1 = 200/10 = 20 m/s. Convert v2 = 60 * 5/18 = 50/3 m/s. Sum speeds = 20 + 16.67 = 36.67 m/s. Total distance = 550 m. Time = 550 / (110/3) = 15 s.
Forgetting to convert the speed of the second train from km/h to m/s, or forgetting to add the lengths of both trains when calculating the total distance to be covered.
Calculate speed of first train
Since the train crosses a man standing on a platform, it covers its own length. Speed v1 is:
v1=10200=20 m/s
Convert speed of second train to m/s
Convert v2=60 km/h to m/s by multiplying with 185:
v2=60×185=350 m/s
Calculate relative speed and total distance
Since trains move in opposite directions, relative speed is the sum of speeds. Total distance is the sum of lengths.
vrel=20+350=3110 m/s,Dtotal=200+350=550 m
Calculate time taken
Apply the time formula:
t=3110550=550×1103=15 s
A is correct because the total distance of 550 m covered at a relative speed of 110/3 m/s results in 15 seconds.
This concept is a precursor to 'Boats and Streams' problems, where the relative speed logic is identical (summing speeds for upstream/downstream).