Relative Velocity: Understanding Rotation & Magnitude

In summary, relative velocity is the measurement of an object's velocity in relation to another object, taking into account their positions and directions. It can be calculated by finding the difference between the two velocities and considering their directions. Rotation and magnitude are two important concepts in understanding relative velocity, with rotation referring to direction and magnitude referring to speed. Understanding relative velocity is crucial in real-world situations such as navigation and transportation. Common misconceptions about relative velocity include the idea that an object's velocity is always the same regardless of the observer's frame of reference and that it only applies to objects moving in a straight line. In reality, relative velocity can vary depending on the frame of reference and applies to objects in both linear and rotational motion.
  • #1
yuhaoz
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I am really confused about relative velocity when one frame is rotating.

Is it possible to have velocity/acceleration of A relative to B and velocity/acceleration of B relative to A not having same magnitude and opposite direction?

Any explanation will be helpful!

Thank you
 
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  • #2
Draw a diagram of A being stationary, and B moving around A in a circle, and plot B's location at several instants. Now, consider what B would see if he assumed that he was stationary, and mark off A's location relative that of B at the same selection of instants.

Chet
 
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What is relative velocity?

Relative velocity is the measurement of the velocity of an object in relation to another object. It takes into account the motion of both objects and describes how their velocities are affected by their relative positions and directions.

How is relative velocity calculated?

Relative velocity can be calculated by finding the difference between the velocities of the two objects. This can be done by subtracting the velocity of one object from the velocity of the other, taking into account their directions of motion.

What is the difference between rotation and magnitude?

Rotation refers to the circular motion of an object around an axis, while magnitude refers to the size or amount of a physical quantity, such as velocity or acceleration. In the context of relative velocity, rotation describes the direction of an object's motion, while magnitude describes the speed of its motion.

How does understanding relative velocity help in real-world situations?

Understanding relative velocity is important in many real-world situations, such as navigation and transportation. It allows us to calculate the most efficient paths for travel and understand how different objects will interact with each other in motion.

What are some common misconceptions about relative velocity?

One common misconception about relative velocity is that an object's velocity is always the same no matter what frame of reference it is observed from. In reality, an object's velocity can appear different depending on the observer's frame of reference. Another misconception is that relative velocity only applies to objects moving in a straight line, when in fact it also applies to objects moving in circular or rotational motion.

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