Relative Motion

Key Points of the Lesson

1.Understand that objects move differently in different
frames of reference
2.Using vectors and vector diagrams to represent and
calculate relative motion

Frames of Reference
All motion is relative!
All motion is measured with respect to (wrt) a
particular frame of reference.
Frame of Reference: system for specifying the
precise location of objects in space and time;
background against which motion is measured
An objects velocity measured in one reference
frame can be completely different when it is
measured from another reference frame.

Relative Velocities
Need to distinguish velocities as measured
in different frames of reference.
Use subscripts using two letters:
Read as:
velocity of (first letter) wrt (second letter)

vac = vab + vbc

Important: vab = -vba
Since velocity is a vector quantity, rules of
vector addition and vector resolution apply

Relative Velocity Example 1

You are walking backward in a bus at a
rate of 1 m/s. Relative to the earth, the
bus is moving forward at 19 m/s.
What is your velocity relative to the bus (and
other passengers on the bus)?
What is your velocity relative to an observer
on the side of the road?

Relative Velocity Example 2

You are driving North at 55 mph. A driver
in the Southbound lane approaches you at
45 mph.
What is your velocity relative to the other
driver?
What is your velocity relative to an observer
on the side of the road?

Relative Velocity Example 3

An airplane is flying due east relative to
still air at a speed of 320 km/h. There is a
65 km/h wind blowing toward the north, as
measured by an observer on the ground.
What is the velocity of the plane measured
by the ground observer?