Abstract

ABOITES, V.  and  PISARCHIK, A.. Tiempo mínimo y trayectoria de movimiento. Rev. mex. fís. E [online]. 2007, vol.53, n.1, pp.52-55. ISSN 1870-3542.

The application of basic differential calculus to the solution of a minimum time problem is presented. Under the experimental conditions here discussed it is shown that human beings choose movement trajectories that agree with the ones calculated using the minimum time principle. These conclusions are obtained from the analysis of a group of students who must run along a swimming pool and then jump and swim through the pool to reach an object placed on the opposite side. The mathematical analysis of the problem is presented, its solution and comparison with experimental results.

Keywords : Least action principle; minimum time principle.