Relative velocity in inertial frame

In summary: The component across the width of the river is 1.98m/s. To find the time it takes to cross the river, divide the distance by this component. Then, to find the horizontal distance traveled, multiply this time by the downstream speed of 0.508m/s. In summary, the swimmer's velocity can be broken down into two components, one of which is used to find the time it takes to cross the river and the other is used to calculate the horizontal distance traveled.
  • #1
Satvik Pandey
591
12
The swimmer will move in the direction of resultant of his velocity and velocity of water.
Draw the diagram and the try to solve it.
 
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  • #2
velocity is a vector and has two components (e.g. v_x and v_y)
 
  • #3
slaw155 said:

The Attempt at a Solution


So here's what I've got so far:
(a) v(swimmer relative to water) = v(swimmer relative to current) + v(current relative to water)
so v^2(swimmer relative to current) = 1.98^2 -0.508^2 -> this gives you v, and then you divide 2230m/v to get time, however, I end up getting the incorrect answer using this working (according to the textbook answer). And I need the correct answer to this to be able to answer (b).

You are using distance = width of the river , but dividing by the net speed of the swimmer .

The velocity of swimmer has two perpendicular components , one across the width of the river ,other along the flow of water .

What is the component of velocity across the width of the river ?
 
  • #4
Vibhor said:
You are using distance = width of the river , but dividing by the net speed of the swimmer .

The velocity of swimmer has two perpendicular components , one across the width of the river ,other along the flow of water .

What is the component of velocity across the width of the river ?


So the velocity across the width of the river is 1.98m/s. So I would go 2230/1.98 to get the time? And then to get horizontal distance traveled I would multiply this time by 0.508 (the downstream speed)?
 
  • #5
Correct
 

What is relative velocity in an inertial frame?

Relative velocity in an inertial frame refers to the difference in velocities between two objects as observed from an inertial reference frame. It takes into account both the speed and direction of the objects, and is important in understanding the motion of objects in relation to each other.

How is relative velocity calculated in an inertial frame?

To calculate relative velocity in an inertial frame, the velocities of the two objects are first measured from the same inertial reference frame. Then, the velocity of one object is subtracted from the velocity of the other object to determine the relative velocity.

What is the difference between relative velocity and absolute velocity?

Relative velocity is the difference in velocities between two objects as observed from an inertial reference frame, while absolute velocity is the velocity of an object as observed from a specific reference point. Relative velocity takes into account the motion of both objects, while absolute velocity only considers the motion of one object from a fixed reference point.

How does relative velocity in an inertial frame affect collisions between objects?

Relative velocity in an inertial frame is an important factor in determining the outcome of collisions between objects. The relative velocity of two objects before a collision will determine the amount of kinetic energy transferred during the collision, and the relative velocities after the collision will determine the resulting velocities of the objects.

What is the role of the inertial reference frame in calculating relative velocity?

The inertial reference frame is a fixed frame of reference in which the laws of physics hold true, and the relative velocities of objects can be accurately calculated. Without a consistent inertial reference frame, the relative velocity between objects may appear different due to the observer's perspective.

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