A Classic Chase Problem Solved from a Physics Perspective

Abstract

The trajectory, travel time and relative approach velocity of a pursuer tracking a prey along a simple curve of pursuit are deduced using basic principles of two-dimensional kinematics. While such curves are well known in the mathematics literature, little attention has been paid to this problem by the physics educational community, despite the fact that it has abundant physical applications. It also makes an interesting alternative to the traditional problems of introductory kinematics.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA574898

Entities

People

  • Carl E. Mungan

Organizations

  • United States Naval Academy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Computer Simulations
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Differential Equations
  • Doppler Effect
  • Doppler Sonar
  • Equations
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Shift
  • Geometry
  • Line Of Sight
  • Mach Number
  • Mathematical Analysis
  • Physics
  • Ships
  • Targets
  • Trajectories
  • United States Naval Academy

Readers

  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Educational Psychology
  • STEM Education