Relative Velocity: Bird and Train Perspective

Thread starter narutodemonki
Start date Sep 16, 2010
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Relative Relative velocity Velocity

AI Thread Summary

The discussion revolves around calculating the relative velocity of a bird flying north at 15 m/s from the perspective of a passenger on a train traveling east at the same speed. One participant calculated the bird's velocity to be 21.2 m/s at 45 degrees west of north, while the answer key indicated 45 degrees north of west. Despite the discrepancy in the angle's description, the participants agree that both answers represent the same relative motion. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding vector components in relative velocity problems. Ultimately, the focus is on the interpretation of direction rather than the numerical value itself.

Sep 16, 2010

narutodemonki

PROBLEM 5: A bird is flying due north with a speed of 15 m s. A train is traveling due east with a speed of 15 m s. What are the magnitude and direction of the velocity of the bird from the point of view of a passenger in a trai

ok so I got an answer of 21.2 m/s 45 degree west of north...
the answer at the back was 45 degrees north of west...
does it matter?

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Sep 16, 2010

lewando

Homework Helper

Gold Member

No, its the same.

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