- #1
hungry_r2d2
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Hello,
Consider the following two situations. There is a train of mass M, going at
V=10 m/s with respect to the train station. There is a mass m passenger
on that train, who starts walking at v=1m/s parallel to the direction of the
train motion. The kinetic energy of this system (train+passenger) w.r.t.
the train station is
[tex]K_1 = (1/2) \left( M V^2 + m (v+V)^2 \right)[/tex].
However, if the passenger is not moving, the kinetic energy of the system is
lower by
[tex] DK = (m/2) (v^2 + 2Vv) [/tex] .
On the other hand, the passenger measures his kinetic energy to be
[tex] K_p = mv^2/2 [/tex] .
I think I understand the algebra (or are there mistakes?), but I don't get
the physical content, i.e. where does the energy come from? Also, if DK were
measurable, one would be able to determine V, which (imho) contradicts
the Galilean relativity principle.
Thanks a lot!
Consider the following two situations. There is a train of mass M, going at
V=10 m/s with respect to the train station. There is a mass m passenger
on that train, who starts walking at v=1m/s parallel to the direction of the
train motion. The kinetic energy of this system (train+passenger) w.r.t.
the train station is
[tex]K_1 = (1/2) \left( M V^2 + m (v+V)^2 \right)[/tex].
However, if the passenger is not moving, the kinetic energy of the system is
lower by
[tex] DK = (m/2) (v^2 + 2Vv) [/tex] .
On the other hand, the passenger measures his kinetic energy to be
[tex] K_p = mv^2/2 [/tex] .
I think I understand the algebra (or are there mistakes?), but I don't get
the physical content, i.e. where does the energy come from? Also, if DK were
measurable, one would be able to determine V, which (imho) contradicts
the Galilean relativity principle.
Thanks a lot!
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