Relative Velocity: Bird and Train Perspective

In summary, relative velocity refers to the velocity of an object as observed from a different reference point, taking into account the motion of both the object and the observer. It is different from absolute velocity, which is measured in relation to a fixed reference point. The formula for calculating relative velocity is VAB = VA - VB, and it can be negative if the observer is moving in the opposite direction of the object. Relative velocity is used in various real-world applications, such as physics, engineering, and navigation systems, to calculate the motion of objects in relation to one another.
  • #1
narutodemonki
7
0
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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  • #2
No, its the same.
 

1. What is relative velocity?

Relative velocity refers to the velocity of an object as observed from a different reference point. It takes into account the motion of both the object and the observer, and is calculated by subtracting the velocity of the observer from the velocity of the object.

2. How is relative velocity different from absolute velocity?

Absolute velocity is the velocity of an object in relation to a fixed reference point, such as the Earth's surface. Relative velocity, on the other hand, takes into account the velocity of the observer and is measured in relation to a moving reference point.

3. What is the formula for calculating relative velocity?

The formula for calculating relative velocity is VAB = VA - VB, where VAB is the relative velocity of object A in relation to object B, VA is the velocity of object A, and VB is the velocity of object B.

4. Can relative velocity be negative?

Yes, relative velocity can be negative. This occurs when the observer is moving in the opposite direction of the object, resulting in a negative value for the relative velocity.

5. How is relative velocity used in real-world applications?

Relative velocity is used in various fields such as physics, engineering, and aerospace to calculate the motion of objects in relation to one another. It is also used in navigation systems, such as GPS, to determine the speed and direction of moving objects.

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