Typical Relativity Car and Ball Problem.... ....

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a relativity problem involving a car and a baseball, where an observer outside the car calculates their velocities. The observer sees both the car and baseball moving at c/√2, leading to confusion about how to add these velocities correctly. Participants express frustration over the lack of clear guidance on solving the problem and the perceived ineffectiveness of the forum for homework help. There is a call for clarification on which equations are applicable to the scenario. Overall, the conversation highlights the challenges of understanding relativistic velocity addition and the expectations of forum users seeking assistance.
cosmos42
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Homework Statement


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Homework Equations


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The Attempt at a Solution


(a) The person outside of the car will see the car's velocity as being c/√2 and the baseball's velocity as c/√2, therefore the observer in frame S will see those two velocities as added together because they both move in the positive x-direction.
(b) Car's velocity - ball's velocity = 0 *edit* now I think this answer might be -c/√2
(c) I have no idea
 
Last edited:
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(a) so what did you do to get the answer, and what did you get ?
(b) so what did you do to get the answer 0 and why do you now think it's wrong ?
(c) which equations apply ?
 
BvU said:
(a) so what did you do to get the answer, and what did you get ?
(b) so what did you do to get the answer 0 and why do you now think it's wrong ?
(c) which equations apply ?
SEE ABOVE
 
Forget it this is due in an hour
This website is zero help 100% of the time
 
cosmos42 said:
This website is zero help 100% of the time
We have thousands of members who would disagree with your assessment.

If you've come here thinking that if you post a problem we tell you the answer, you are mistaken. We are happy to help you with your problems, and steer you in the right direction, but we won't spoonfeed the answers to you.
 
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