Relative movement and agreement about an object's speed

In summary, the observer inside the train thinks that the train is not moving, while the observer outside the train thinks it is moving at a constant velocity. However, the total kinetic energy of the train is zero if the observer inside the train calculates it that way.
  • #1
Quarlep
257
4
I am confused about Relative Motion.Lets suppose we have one train and two observer.One of them inside the train and the other one is outside.Lets think the outside observer see the train moves a constant velocity v.The observer in the train will be think it is not moving cause of Galileo Principle(It means you cannot prove your are moving or not moving).The outside observer will think kinetic energy will be 1/2mv^2 but the inside observer can't say anything(or will say zero cause he will think its not moving).Now let's think a special situation which two observer can agree the speed.(I know its not possible but let's think that's possible).In this case Can two observers agree on kinetic energy of train(In this case again its violets galileo principle cause the observer in the train know its moving but he can't proof)here I am started to confused.What can be solution Can they agree on kinetic energy cause of the observer inside the train no proof of movement ?
 
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  • #3
Thank you that's the thing what I want
 
  • #4
I didnt understand something.Total kinetic energy will be A momentum energy and normal relative kinetic energy ? How can we calculate momentum energy ? (My main language is not english so I am getting trouble to understand logic)
 
  • #5
There is no such thing as "momentum energy". I think you misread/mistranslated.
 
  • #6
Whats Ei snd MV^2/2 can someone explain me this simpler just what these things mean and what's the COM frame please
Thanks
 
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  • #7
The COM frame is the frame where the total momentum is 0. The mv^2/2 is just the non relativistic formula for kinetic energy.

I have no idea what Ei might be referring to. Perhaps you could provide a citation or some context.
 
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  • #8
Quarlep said:
Whats Ei snd MV^2/2 can someone explain me this simpler just what these things mean and what's the COM frame please
Thanks
Assuming you are talking about the formula in the "Frame of reference" section of the Wikipedia article linked above, Ei is the kinetic energy measured by observers at rest in frame i, which is the Center Of Mass (COM) frame. Ek is the kinetic energy measured by observers at rest in some other frame which is moving with speed V with respect to frame i.

Note that the formulae in that web page are non-relatisistic ones. There may be a relativistic section - I haven't read the whole thing.
 
  • #9
So in my sitatuion The observer in the train will measure a kinetic energy Ei plus the outside observer kinetic energy (which observer i see that objects moves a velocity v) ,that will be his (the observer in the train) total kinetic energy.If that's true how can we calculate Ei.
 
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  • #10
In your case, since there's only one thing (the train) it is stationary in its Center Of Mass frame, so Ei=0. Its kinetic energy in a frame moving at speed v with respect to the train is just ##\frac{1}{2}mv^2##, where the mass of the train is m. Or ##(\gamma-1)mc^2##, where ##\gamma=1/\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}## if we're going for the full relativistic treatment.
 
  • #11
Inside the observer will detect train kinetic energy 1/2mv2 isn't it. You said something different I guess.Just I want to be sure I have bad english.If you write me again I will be very happy.
Thanks
 
  • #12
Quarlep said:
So in my sitatuion The observer in the train will measure a kinetic energy Ei plus the outside observer kinetic energy (which observer i see that objects moves a velocity v) ,that will be his (the observer in the train) total kinetic energy.If that's true how can we calculate Ei.
That's not how it works. Since KE is a square function of speed, you have to do your speed transformation first to calculate how fast the observer on the train is moving with respect to the chosen reference. Then you plug that speed into the KE equation.
 
  • #13
In my question, I asked what we get ,If the observer in the train calculates train kinetic energy.Now the observer inside the train things train speed is zero so train kinetic energy will be zero.But it can't be.The observer which its outside the train call A and the observer which inside the train call B.Train total energy for B will be ET=Ei+1/2Mv2 now our referance frame will be train or B (they are in the same referance frame) russ said I need to calculate speed of observer (B) to referance frame that's zero so we get zero energy (again its not possible) here what I am trying to say .
B will thing" I see A observer moves velocity v " so train kinetic energy will be 1/2mv2 or train is not moving so v is zero . Then Ei is not zero so total energy will be Ei.
Thanks
 
  • #14
Quarlep said:
I asked what we get ,If the observer in the train calculates train kinetic energy

Zero. If an object is not moving, it has no kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is frame-dependent.

Quarlep said:
Train total energy for B will be ET=Ei+1/2Mv2

If you're just looking at a single object, or a system that has all of its parts at rest relative to each other, then ##E_i## is zero, and since ##v## is also zero in the train frame, the train's total kinetic energy is zero. That does not mean its total energy is zero; it still has its rest energy, ##Mc^2##.

Quarlep said:
Then Ei is not zero

No. ##E_i## is only nonzero if the system consists of internal parts that are moving relative to its center of mass. For example, suppose there is a merry-go-round inside the train, whose center is anchored to the train, and it is rotating. Then the merry-go-round will have some rotational kinetic energy relative to the train's center of mass; this energy will appear as a nonzero ##E_i## in the equation you see on the Wikipedia page. But this energy has nothing to do with the velocity ##v## of the train as a whole relative to something else.
 
  • #15
Quarlep said:
In my question, I asked what we get ,If the observer in the train calculates train kinetic energy.
Kinetic energy requires that you define a frame of reference against which to measure it. What is that frame?
Now the observer inside the train things train speed is zero so train kinetic energy will be zero.But it can't be.
Well, it can be, but only if he defines a frame of reference in which the train is stationary. He can do that, but why would he if what he is really looking for is the train's KE with respect to the ground?
The observer which its outside the train call A and the observer which inside the train call B.Train total energy for B will be ET=Ei+1/2Mv2 now our referance frame will be train or B (they are in the same referance frame) russ said I need to calculate speed of observer (B) to referance frame that's zero so we get zero energy (again its not possible) here what I am trying to say .
B will thing" I see A observer moves velocity v " so train kinetic energy will be 1/2mv2 or train is not moving so v is zero . Then Ei is not zero so total energy will be Ei.
Thanks
So again: you can't use three different reference frames in different parts of the problem. Pick a rest frame, pick an observer and do the whole problem using only those two things. The consistency will eliminate the logical contradictions you are creating.
 
  • #16
russ_watters said:
Kinetic energy requires that you define a frame of reference against which to measure it. What is that frame?
The observer inside the train


russ_watters said:
Well, it can be, but only if he defines a frame of reference in which the train is stationary.

I am defining that stationary referance frame observer in the train.

russ_watters said:
So again: you can't use three different reference frames in different parts of the problem. Pick a rest frame, pick an observer and do the whole problem using only those two things. The consistency will eliminate the logical contradictions you are creating.

Referance frame is B observer is also B.
 
  • #17
Quarlep said:
The observer inside the train

I am defining that stationary referance frame observer in the train.

Referance frame is B observer is also B.
OK, so since the train is stationary with respect to that frame, the kinetic energy with respect to that frame is zero.
 
  • #18
So If I change referance frame to A, B will se 1/2Mv^2 and If I pick referance frame to ground also its 1/2Mv^2 .If these things are rhen true thanks for help I understand the idea.
 
  • #19
Quarlep said:
So If I change referance frame to A, B will se 1/2Mv^2 and If I pick referance frame to ground also its 1/2Mv^2 .If these things are rhen true thanks for help I understand the idea.
Yes, it is true that kinetic energy is frame dependent, just like (because) velocity is frame dependent. As long as you recognize that asking about the kinetic energy with respect to an additional frame results in a different answer and the two answers don't have to match, then you should be fine.
 
  • #20
I ll will check that If I found correct answer and I ll post it.For now thanks
 
  • #21
Quarlep said:
train speed is zero so train kinetic energy will be zero.But it can't be.
It is zero in that frame. Why do you think it couldn't be. The correct answer is 0 in that frame.

It will be non zero in other frames. Energy is frame variant.
 
  • #23
Quarlep said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_energy#Frame_of_reference
There says this " By contrast, the total kinetic energy of a system of objects cannot be reduced to zero by a suitable choice of the inertial reference frame, unless all the objects have the same velocity"
Yes. You've only got one object, the train. So all your objects have the same velocity. So the KE can be reduced to zero by a suitable choice of frame in this case.
 
  • #24
Ibix said:
So the KE can be reduced to zero by a suitable choice of frame in this case.
Is this is a suitible choice of frame ?
 
  • #25
Quarlep said:
Is this is a suitible choice of frame ?
Is what a suitable choice of frame?
 
  • #26
Our situation
 
  • #27
Quarlep said:
Is this is a suitible choice of frame ?
We don't know: the chocie of frame is yours to make, depending on what it is you want to know. It doesn't seem suitable to me, though, since it appears that you actually want to know the train's KE with respect to the ground, but instead keep trying to calculate the train's KE with respect to the passenger:

Previously, I asked you what frame you wanted to know about and you said the observer on the train. But then after you calculated the KE to be zero, you immediately discarded the answer and asked about the observer on the ground. So it appears to me you really didn't want to know about the observer on the train even though you said you did. This doesn't make sense to me.
 
  • #28
@Quarlep this is not acceptable. When asked for clarification you should provide it. For this discussion the following must be clarified:

1) what reference frames are of interest
2) what system is of interest
3) what is the scenario of interest (completely specified)
4) what assumptions/simplifications are used

I have assumed that you are interested in the system of an inertially moving train in the train and embankment frames using the simplification that the train is a single rigid object moving at v relative to the embankment.
 
  • #29
Quarlep said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_energy#Frame_of_reference
There says this " By contrast, the total kinetic energy of a system of objects cannot be reduced to zero by a suitable choice of the inertial reference frame, unless all the objects have the same velocity"
The "total kinetic energy of a system". In this case, the system of objects can be the train and the embankment observer. In the embankment frame, the train has a non-zero kinetic energy and the embankment observer has zero kinetic energy, But in the train frame, the train has zero kinetic energy and it is the embankment observer that has a non-zero kinetic energy.

In other words, you cannot find an inertial frame where the sum of the kinetic energy of the train and embankment observer is zero. But this does not mean that you cannot choose a frame in which one or the other has zero kinetic energy. Also note that while it says that the total kinetic energy of such a system can not be reduced to zero, it does not say that it must remain constant.

On the other hand, if you reduce your system to just the train, then it can have its total kinetic energy reduced to zero, because this fulfills the requirement of the phrase "unless all the objects have the same velocity".
 
  • #30
Here I made a pic.I wrote everything down there.
 

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  • #31
In the picture, is B walking forward in the train at speed V? And you want to know the train and observer B's combined kinetic energy with respect to the ground? Then your reference frame of interest is the ground and you need to transform B's speed from train referenced to ground referenced.

It is a self contradiction to say that you want to use a reference frame on the train but want to know the kinetic energy with respect to the ground: "with respect to" means "that's my reference frame".

Also, you started talking about a plane in the picture. I assume you mean train. I don't want to be too critical, but that isn't just a typo, it is a potential sign of a disorganized thought process. I'm not sure you are putting enough serious effort into this: if you can't remember from one minute to the next if you are talking about a train or plane, how can you remember which reference frame is which?
 
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  • #32
russ_watters said:
n the picture, is B walking forward in the train at speed V?
Yeah B in the train at moves or walks at speed v
russ_watters said:
And you want to know the train and observer B's combined kinetic energy with respect to the ground?
I wanted to know kinetic energy of train resbect to RF.I mean theres.RF is a point in the train.RF means referance frame point and there's also observer in that point.

russ_watters said:
t is a self contradiction to say that you want to use a reference frame on the train but want to know the kinetic energy with respect to the ground: "with respect to" means "that's my reference frame".

Again referance frame is a point in the train which I showed in the picture.

russ_watters said:
Also, you started talking about a plane in the picture. I assume you mean train. I don't want to be too critical, but that isn't just a typo, it is a potential sign of a disorganized thought process. I'm not sure you are putting enough serious effort into this: if you can't remember from one minute to the next if you are talking about a train or plane, how can you remember which reference frame is which?

It sound like stupid or sllLy but I am in high school.And my first language is not english.And my father died few months ago so I can't focus on things.We didnt learned referance frames and relative kinetic energy at school I am tring to learn them here to ask questions and get answers. I am talking about train in the picture.Plane is just a example.



 
  • #33
Quarlep said:
Yeah B in the train at moves or walks at speed v

I wanted to know kinetic energy of train resbect to RF.I mean theres.RF is a point in the train.RF means referance frame point and there's also observer in that point.

Again referance frame is a point in the train which I showed in the picture.
So, I think you know by now that the kinetic energy of the train with respect to point RF is 0.

OK...so why are frame A and man B even in the picture? Is there more that you want to know that you didn't say? It certainly seems like it because in the drawing you said:
I am trying to do put RF and A in the same reference frame.
A is a person on the ground. To put him in frame RF, the train will need to stop and pick him up. But this has nothing to do with what you previously said you wanted to know.
It sound like stupid or sllLy but I am in high school.
Not silly, disorganized. It is as if you are having two totally different conversations with different people and are sending us pieces of a conversation meant for someone else.

Back in the OP, you said:
Can they agree on kinetic energy cause of the observer inside the train no proof of movement ?
If the person in the train cannot see the ground and has no instruments, he cannot measure his speed with respect to the ground. But if they have phones, they can call each other and the person on the ground can call the person on the train and tell him the train's speed in the ground frame.
 
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  • #34
I'll be more spesific now.We are B.B is a physicist and he wants to calculate train energy.He picks a referance frame (which its RF)then he makes calculation he gets zero.Then B things "I know that A is moving with velocity v' now maybe I am moving to.If that's true then I have to calculate train energy more.But for that I need to think RF and A referance frames are same.Their (RF and A) referance frames must be same for that.That means I (B/physicist) need to think that I am moving v' cause I am inside the train.Then how can I prove that I am moving v'.I can't prove that I am moving but I can't prove also I am not moving v'".So train kinetic energy depends referance frame.If B thinks train moves v' same thing happens to RF and we will going to add extra energy.But again B can't prove both situations (I am moving or not moving) Is B can thing I am moving v' ?? Is that violates physics rules ??
 
  • #35
There are no violations in there that I can see:
1. The train's velocity and kinetic energy with respect to RF are zero.
2. The train's velocity and kinetic energy with respect to A are not zero.
3. #1 and #2 do not contradict each other: velocity and kinetic energy are both frame dependent.
4. Whether the person on the train knows the velocity of the train with respect to A or not does not affect what the velocity of the train and kinetic energy with respect to A actually are. It just determines whether he knows enough to do the calculation.
 

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