Simple,quick relative velocity question?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a relative velocity problem involving a boat and the sea. The boat is traveling at 10 m/s, while the sea is moving at 5 m/s. Participants are exploring how to determine the speed of the boat relative to the sea and the ground.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the boat's speed relative to the sea and questions the reasoning behind their initial conclusion. Some participants suggest using vector subtraction to find the relative speed, while others express confusion about the reference points for the velocities involved.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, exploring different interpretations of the velocities involved. Some have provided calculations and diagrams to illustrate their reasoning, while others are questioning the assumptions about reference frames and the definitions of relative speed.

Contextual Notes

There is some ambiguity regarding the reference points for the velocities, specifically whether the speeds are measured relative to the ground or the water. This has led to differing interpretations of the problem.

sameeralord
Messages
659
Reaction score
3
Hello I'll make it quick

Boat is traveling at 10m/s the sea is traveling at 5m/s. What is the speed of the boat relative to the sea and why?

Through vectors I worked it out to be 10m/s(not sure) but shouldn't it be five because if a person is standing in the sea and sees the boat it would be traveling at 5m/s.

The ship relative to the ground is 15m/s right.

Thank you!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
B=boat
S=Sea
G=ground.

B/S= Boat relative to Sea


I assume if there is a diagram it looks like this


--------> boat
----> sea

[tex]\vec{v}_{B/S}=\vec{v}_B-\vec{v}_S = 10-5=5 m/s[/tex]


So the boat 'feels' as if it is traveling at 5m/s instead of 10m/s
 
rock.freak667 said:
B=boat
S=Sea
G=ground.

B/S= Boat relative to Sea


I assume if there is a diagram it looks like this


--------> boat
----> sea

[tex]\vec{v}_{B/S}=\vec{v}_B-\vec{v}_S = 10-5=5 m/s[/tex]


So the boat 'feels' as if it is traveling at 5m/s instead of 10m/s

Thank you for your help. Isn't it 15m/s-10m/s. That is where my confusion lies. Isn't the boat relative to the ground 15m/s(someone in the shore would feel the boat traveling at 15m/s). When you are in the boat do you feel the resultant velocity or the actual velocity.
 
sameeralord said:
Boat is traveling at 10m/s
With respect to what? The water or the ground? And in what direction?
the sea is traveling at 5m/s.
Presumably with respect to the ground.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K