Spaceship approaching Mars and relative motion

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the relative motion of a spaceship approaching Mars. The spaceship's velocity is set to zero, while Mars' velocity is calculated as the difference between its two given speeds, 24.1 m/s and 19.3 m/s. The participants emphasize that the relative velocity of Mars should be treated as a vector, necessitating vector subtraction rather than scalar calculations. The angle between the spaceship's motion and Mars' motion is confirmed to be 90 degrees due to their directional alignment.

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  • Understanding of vector mathematics
  • Familiarity with relative motion concepts
  • Basic knowledge of physics principles related to velocity
  • Proficiency in interpreting vector equations
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  • Study vector subtraction in physics
  • Learn about relative velocity in different reference frames
  • Explore the implications of motion in a gravitational field
  • Investigate the effects of velocity on trajectory calculations
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Physics students, aerospace engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of spacecraft motion and relative velocity calculations.

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Homework Statement
The spaceship S approaches Mars following the trajectory ##b-b## with velocity ##\vec v_S=19.3 \frac{km}{s}## with respect to the Sun. If Mars has a velocity ##\vec v_M=24.1 \frac{km}{s}## along the trajectory ##a-a## with respect to the Sun, determine the angle between ##SM## and ##b-b## such that a person inside the spaceship "sees" that Mars is moving towards him.
Relevant Equations
##\vec v_{B/A}=\vec v_B - \vec v_A##
As the problem asks for the spaceship's perspective, I know that I should take ##\vec v_S=0## and ##\vec v_M=24.1-19.3## because the motion is relative to the spaceship. Then, the relative velocity of Mars and ##SM## should have the same direction. If they have the same direction, that angle would be 90°, wouldn't it? I mean, probably I'm forgetting something, but that's the way I tried to do it

20190906_202027777.jpg
 
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Like Tony Stark said:
I know that I should take ##\vec v_S=0## and ##\mathbf{\vec v_M=24.1-19.3}## because the motion is relative to the spaceship.

The equation for ##\vec v_M## is a vector equation. So on the right hand side should be a vector subtraction. You have treated them as scalars.
 

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