A train crosses a telegraph post in 40 seconds, traveling at 36 km/h. Convert the speed to meters per second:
\[\n\text{Speed} = 36 \, \text{km/h} = \frac{36 \times 1000}{3600} = 10 \, \text{m/s}\n\]
The distance covered by the train in 40 seconds is:
\[\n\text{Distance} = \text{Speed} \times \text{Time} = 10 \, \text{m/s} \times 40 \, \text{s} = 400 \, \text{m}\n\]
Therefore, the train's length is 400 meters.