In the human nervous system, signals are transmitted along neurons as action potentials that travel at speeds of up to 66.0 m/s. (An action potential is a traveling influx of sodium ions through the membrane of a neuron.) The signal is passed from one neuron to another by the release of neurotransmitters in the synapse. Suppose that someone steps on your toe. The pain signal travels along a 1.00-m-long sensory neuron to the spinal column, across a synapse to a second 1.00-m-long neuron, and across a second synapse to the brain. Suppose that the synapses are each 102 nm wide, that it takes 0.0400 ms for the signal to cross each synapse, and that the action potentials travel at 66.0 m/s. A. At what average speed does the signal cross a synapse? B. How long does it take for the signal to reach the brain? C. What is the average speed of propagation of the signal?
Displacement, Velocity and Acceleration
In classical mechanics, kinematics deals with the motion of a particle. It deals only with the position, velocity, acceleration, and displacement of a particle. It has no concern about the source of motion.
Linear Displacement
The term "displacement" refers to when something shifts away from its original "location," and "linear" refers to a straight line. As a result, “Linear Displacement” can be described as the movement of an object in a straight line along a single axis, for example, from side to side or up and down. Non-contact sensors such as LVDTs and other linear location sensors can calculate linear displacement. Non-contact sensors such as LVDTs and other linear location sensors can calculate linear displacement. Linear displacement is usually measured in millimeters or inches and may be positive or negative.
In the human nervous system, signals are transmitted along neurons as action potentials that travel at speeds of up to 66.0 m/s. (An action potential is a traveling influx of sodium ions through the membrane of a neuron.) The signal is passed from one neuron to another by the release of neurotransmitters in the synapse. Suppose that someone steps on your toe. The pain signal travels along a 1.00-m-long sensory neuron to the spinal column, across a synapse to a second 1.00-m-long neuron, and across a second synapse to the brain. Suppose that the synapses are each 102 nm wide, that it takes 0.0400 ms for the signal to cross each synapse, and that the action potentials travel at 66.0 m/s.
A. At what average speed does the signal cross a synapse?
B. How long does it take for the signal to reach the brain?
C. What is the average speed of propagation of the signal?
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