Physics Library / Computational resource
Intercept a moving target
Change the target's head start and speed. Compare your chosen intercept with the minimum-effort path.
Intercept
The paths meet at 10 s and 200 m.
TargetYour pathMinimum effort
At the selected time
Effort landscape
For each arrival time, the vehicle travels at constant speed to meet the target.
J(T) = (d + VT)2 / (2T)
Minimum time10 s
Minimum speed20 m/s
Your effort2,000 m2/s
Extra effort0%
At the optimum, the vehicle moves twice as fast as the target.