Relative Motion AP Physics C Mrs Coyle Relative














- Slides: 14

Relative Motion AP Physics C Mrs. Coyle

Relative Velocity of A relative to B: VAB= VAG - VBG v. AB is the velocity of A with respect to B v. BG is the velocity of B with respect to a reference frame (example: the ground) v. AG is the velocity of A with respect to a reference frame (example: the ground)

Resultant Velocity The resultant velocity of an object with respect to a reference frame is the net velocity of an object. v. AG = v. AB + v. BG

Example 1 The Bus Ride A passenger is seated on a bus that is traveling with a velocity of 6 m/s, E. If the passenger remains in her seat, what is her velocity: a) With respect to the ground? b) With respect to the bus? c) The passenger decides to approach the driver with a velocity of 1 m/s. What is the velocity of the passenger with respect to the ground?


Example 2 - Airplane and Wind An airplane has a velocity of 60 m/s, N with respect to the wind. It is facing a headwind of 5 m/s with respect to the ground. What is the resultant velocity of the airplane with respect to the ground?

Example 3 -Airplane and Wind An airplane is traveling with a velocity of 80 m/s, E with respect to the wind. The wind is blowing with a velocity of 4 m/s, S. Find the resultant velocity of the plane with respect to the ground.

Example 4 - Boat and River A boat is has a velocity of 8 m/s, E in still water. It is in a river that has a velocity of 3 m/s, S. a) What is the resultant velocity of the boat relative to the shore. b) How far downstream did the boat travel? Assume that the river is 300 m wide.


Reference frame S’ is moving with a constant velocity, vo

Galilean Transformations Positions as seen from the two reference frames: r’ = r – vo t When you take the derivative: v’ = v – vo

Acceleration “The acceleration of the particle measured by an observer in one reference frame is the same as that measured by any other observer moving at a constant velocity relative to the first frame. ”

Example- 5 (Q #28) • A passenger on a train that is moving with constant velocity drops a spoon. What is the acceleration of the spoon relative a) to the train and b) the Earth?

Example 6 (Q#26) • A sailor drops a wrench from the top of a sailboat while the boat is moving rapidly and steadily in a straight line. Where will the wrench hit the deck?