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STEM General Physics 1

Quarter 1 – Module 9
RELATIVE VELOCITY

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General Physics 1 – Grade 12 STEM

Quarter 1 – Module 9- Relative Velocity

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Maricris D. Ravanilla

Editors: Benjie L. Cadag

Voltaire G. Furio
Alex Barrameda
Edgardo J. Bungcag

Reviewers: Benjie L. Cadag

Voltaire G. Furio
Alex Barrameda
Edgardo J. Bungcag

Language Editor: Ronnalyn N. Jalmasco

Layout Artist: Ma. Rachel B. Espino, Antonio L. Morada

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MELC Most Essential Learning Competency

➢ Describe motion using the concept of relative

velocities in one- dimension (1D) and two-
dimension (2D)
STEM_GP12KIN-Ic-20

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 MODULE 1: Relative Velocity

In your Junior High School years, you were taught that force can make things
in motion. Right? But how can you say really that a certain object is in motion? Do all
moving objects can be considered in motion?

Let us find out the answers to those questions in this module. Moreover, this
module will help us recognize that motion is relative by understanding the reference
frame.

This module focused on

understanding motion in one and two
dimension using the concept of
relative velocity.

Moreover, you are expected to grasp

the following learning targets:

LEARNING TARGETS:

a. Define reference frame and relative velocity

b. Describe the relative velocity of an object in one-dimension (1D)
and two-dimension (2D)
c. Calculate the relative velocity of an object in one-dimension (1D)
and two-dimension (2D)
d. Apply the concept of the relative velocity of an object in one-
dimension (1D) and two-dimension (2D) in real life situations.

I’m sure you are excited to

learn more. Turn to the
next page and let your
learning adventure begin!

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 Oops! Just a minute. Take the
pre-test first.

PRE - TEST

1. A car has a velocity of 5 m/s due North. A bus has a velocity of 2 m/s due to
South. What is the setup of the velocity of the car relative to the bus?
A. 𝑣𝐶𝐵 = 𝑣𝐶𝐺 + 𝑣𝐵𝐺
c= car B. 𝑣𝐶𝐵 = 𝑣𝐺𝐶 + 𝑣𝐶𝐵
b= bus C. 𝑣𝐵𝐶 = 𝑣𝐶𝐵 + 𝑣𝐵𝐺
g= ground D. 𝑣𝐵𝐶 = 𝑣𝐵𝐺 + 𝑣𝐺𝐶

2. A motorboat, which has a velocity of 5 m/s in still water, is crossing a river

(from west to east) The river's current is flowing south at 3.3 m/s. What is the
magnitude of the boat’s resultant velocity with respect to the starting point?

A. 3. 3 m/s
B. 6.0 m/s
C. 5.0 m/s
D. 8.3 m/s

3. Observers using different ___________________ may measure different

velocities for an object in motion
A. reference frame c. constant velocity
B. projectile motion d. relative motion
For items 4-5, refer to the picture below.

A. 40 mph
B. 50 mph
C. 10 mph
D. 30 mph

4. What is the train's velocity with respect to the stationary observer?

5. What is the walker's velocity from the observer's perspective?

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 LEARNING ACTIVI TIES

“I refer on You”

• Analyze the given situation below and answer the guide questions that follow.

Mario and Luigi plan to

meet at the door of the
library. Mario instructed
Luigi the way to the library.
He said, to go down the
street and take the first left.
Luigi following these Figure 1. Points A (Mario) and B (Luigi) are the starting positions
directions arrives near the of Mario and Luigi on their way to the library.
town hall instead.

GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. Why do you think Luigi ended up near the town hall?

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

2. How does the starting position affect Luigi’s way in finding the library?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

3. From the above situation, how will you define reference frame?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

In the situation above, Luigi arrived near the town hall

instead at the library because he followed the instruction
given by Mario. Mario instructed Luigi considering where he
is without analyzing that Luigi has different perspective since
they are not in the same place. Thus, this situation shows the
importance of reference frame.

A reference frame is used to help the observer describe what

he or she sees from his or her perspective. In physics, it is
known as a system of coordinates with a fixed origin. A
reference frame is also used to describe a thing relative to
another and allows us to say where and when something
happened. A reference frame can be stationary or not.

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 “Looks can be Deceiving”

• Analyze the given situation below and give your insight right after.

Two students followed the path shown below in going to their classroom.
Student A followed the straight path (red line) while Student B followed the
curved path (green line). Mario and Luigi argued which of the two students
covered the greater displacement.

Library Classroom

Stop arguing both of you!

Student A covers a
greater displacement
since he travels in a
straight path without
taking any short cut.
Student A and student B
As for me, student B covered the same
covers the greater displacement since they
displacement because have the same point of
he travelled in a curve origin and destination.
path which makes his The only difference (aside
way lengthy compared from distance) is the way
to student A. they travel the given path.
Student A shows motion
in one dimension while
student B shows motion
in two-dimension.

https://bit.ly/2DgiY36
Mario

https://bit.ly/2PloSm7
Luigi https://bit.ly/2DwM8
Toad

From the three characters above, which statement or idea do you agree?
Why?

I agree with…
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

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 ACTIVITY 1: Velocity: Below the City
• Study the mathematical equation below to infer the idea of relative velocity.
HINT: 𝑣𝐴𝐵 = 𝑣𝐴 - 𝑣𝐵 𝑣𝐶𝐵 = 𝑣𝐶 - 𝑣𝐵
Each velocity is labelled by 𝑣𝐵𝐴 = 𝑣𝐵 - 𝑣𝐴 𝑣𝐶𝐷 = 𝑣𝐶 - 𝑣𝐷
two subscripts: the first
𝑣𝐵𝐶 = 𝑣𝐵 - 𝑣𝐶 𝑣𝐷𝐶 = 𝑣𝐷 - 𝑣𝐶
refers to the object, the
second to the reference
frame in which it has this
Therefore,
velocity.. 𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 𝑣𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡− 𝑣𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑒

Based on the above mathematical equation, how will you define relative
velocity?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY 2: “Train, train, Moves Away”

• Study the worded problem below and answer the guide questions that follow.

Train A with person A inside moves at 50 miles per hour with respect to
the ground. Train B with person B inside moves at 60 miles per hour in the
same direction. What is the relative velocity of train A with respect to B and
relative velocity of train B with respect to train A?
Given: Find:

• velocity of train A (VA) = 50mph • velocity of train A to B (VAB)

• velocity of train B (VB) = 60 mph • velocity of train B to A (VBA)
Solution: Solution:

VAB = VA - VB VBA = VB – VA
VAB = 50 mph -60 mph VBA = 60 mph -50 mph
VAB = - 10 mph VBA = 10 mph

GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. How will you describe the motion of train A and B relative to the ground?
___________________________________________________________
2. How will you describe the motion of train A relative to train B?
__________________________________________________
3. How will you describe the motion of train B relative to A?
_______________________________________________
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Remember: When velocities are along the same line (one dimension), simple addition (taking
account the direction of the object) or subtraction is sufficient to obtain relative velocity. But if
they are not along the same line (two-dimension), we must make use of vector addition
emphasizing the reference frame. Making a vector diagram will make it easier to calculate
relative velocity in two-dimension.

ACTIVITY 3: “ONE OR TWO, ANY WILL DO”

• Read and analyze each worded problem to learn how to calculate the relative
velocity of an object in one-dimension (1D).

1. At an airport Anna is stationary, Bert is walking at a speed of 1.0 m/s, Carla

is standing on a platform that moves with a speed of 2.0 m/s, Dodong is
walking, at his normal walking speed, on the same platform Carla is on. Anna
observes Bert, Carla, and Dodong to be all moving away from him in the
same direction. Anna observes Dodong to be moving away from her at a
speed of 3.0 m/s.

a) What is Anna velocity relative to the ground?

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
b) What is Dodong’s velocity relative to Carla?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
c) What is Dodong’s normal walking speed?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
d) What is Carla’s velocity relative to Bert?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

2. A boat heads North at 3.5 m/s directly across a 200 m wide river flowing
east at 1.7 m/s.
a. What is the velocity of the boat relative to the shore?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
b. How long will it take to cross the river?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
c. How far downstream will the boat be when it crosses the river?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

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 The concept of relative motion in one and two-dimension depends
on our understanding of the motion itself and the reference frame.
As you can see, in the elicit part of this module, you were given a
situational activity where you can learn that the observer’s point of
view affects the way they perceived things. The same thing happens
when you are sitting in a train at a station and you see another train moving. You will
feel like you are moving though you are stationary at the platform. To you, sitting on
the stationary train (A), or to the person on the platform, the moving train (B) appears
to be travelling at a velocity 𝑣 away. However, to the person on the moving train, the
platform and the train sitting stationary both appear to be moving in the opposite
direction with the same speed, or to put it another way, with the opposite velocity.
So, reference frame plays a crucial role to better understand relative velocity.

On the engage activity, you were able to realize the idea of motion in one and
two dimension. The motion of an object along a straight path/line or along either x or
y axis only is known as motion in one dimension. When the object moves along x
and y axis at the same time, it is now considered as motion in two dimension.

Activity 1

With the given mathematical equation above, you have learned that relative
velocity is the vector difference between the velocities of two bodies. Each velocity
is labelled by two subscripts: the first refers to the object, the second to the reference
frame in which it has this velocity. Moreover, in understanding relative velocity of an
object if the reference frame is not stated, it means that it will always be with respect
to something that is stationary.

Activity 2

In activity 2, train A and B is moving along x axis only, so simple addition or

subtraction will do to get the relative velocity. As stated, train A is moving at 50 mph
relative to the ground while train B is moving at 60 mph. From these given, we can
say that train A is moving 10 mph slower relative to train B while train B is moving 10
mph faster than train A.

Activity 3

When the velocities are along the same line (one dimension), simple addition
(taking account of the direction of the object) or subtraction is sufficient to obtain
relative velocity. But if they are not along the same line (two-dimension), we must
make use of vector addition emphasizing the reference frame. Making a vector
diagram will make it easier to calculate relative velocity in two-dimension.

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 In activity 3, problem no. 1 is an example of relative motion in one dimension,
so Anna’s velocity relative to the ground is zero since she is just standing still at the
airport. The velocity of Dodong relative to Carla is 1.0 m/s and can be obtained by
subtracting Carla’s velocity relative to Anna from Dodong’s velocity relative to Anna.
Since it is stated that Dodong is walking at his normal walking speed on the platform
(P), his normal walking speed is just VDP. We can calculate this because we know
how fast both the platform and Dodong are moving away from Anna. The velocity of
Dodong relative to the platform is 1.0 m/s likewise the velocity of Carla relative to
Bert is also 1.0 m/s. Problem no. 2 is an example of relative motion in two dimension
wherein the boat travels North while the river flows East. Though the boat is heading
North, it will move Eastward since the river is flowing East. Hence, its motion is along
both x and y. For problems involving relative motion in two dimension, you will use
Pythagorean Theorem to get the relative velocity and SOH-CAH-TOA for the
direction.

• Study the picture below to answer the guide questions that follows

• Describe the relative velocity of the following:

1. Find the velocity of the crab relative to the ship, if the ship is heading east at
100 km/h while the crab is moving at 3m/s North.

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2. Green fish is moving 2m/s East while pink fish is due West at 4m/s. What is
the relative velocity of the fishes to each other?

3. Describe the relative velocity of the star fish with respect to the light house if it
is stationary in its current position?

4. How will you explain the importance of relative velocity in describing the
motion of the object?

• Read and analyze each problem then solve.

1. A boat heads North at 2.8 m/s across a river flowing East at 1.3 m/s. (a) What
is the velocity of the boat relative to the shore? (b)What is the new position of
the boat relative to its starting point after 5 seconds?

2. A swimmer aims his body North directly across a 80 m river at a velocity of

1.2 m/s. If the river is moving West at 0.7 m/s, (a) how far downstream will he
land and (b) how long will it take him to cross the river?

3. A motorcycle travelling on the highway at a velocity of 120 km/h passes a car

traveling at a velocity of 90 km/h. From the point of view of a passenger on
the car, what is the velocity of the motorcycle?

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 • Create a scenario similar to the one above where you can show the relative
velocity of object in motion in
A. one dimension
B. two dimension

VOCABULARY LIST

Motion- is the action of changing location or position.

Reference frame- it is known as a system of coordinates with a fixed origin used to

help the observer describe what he or she sees from his or her perspective.

Distance- is a total path length traversed by an object moving from one location to
another.

Displacement- is a vector quantity defined as the distance between the initial point
and final point of an object.

Motion in one- dimension - the motion of an object along a straight path/line or

along x or y axis only.

Motion in two-dimension- the motion of an object in two or more directions or along

x and y axes at the same time.

Velocity- is defined as a vector measurement of the rate and direction of motion.

Relative velocity- is the vector difference between the velocities of two bodies.

Vector Diagram- are diagrams that depict the direction and relative magnitude of a
vector quantity by a vector arrow. This can be used to describe the velocity of a
moving object during its motion.

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 ANSWER KEY

P r e - T e s t
1. A

2. B

3. A

4. A

5. D

➢ ACTIVITY 1: Velocity: Below the City

• Relative Velocity - is the vector difference between the velocities of two
bodies (the first refers to the object, the second to the reference frame in
which it has this velocity).

➢ ACTIVITY 2: “Train, train, Moves Away”

1. Train A is moving at 50 mph relative to the ground while train B is moving at
60 mph.
2. Train A is moving 10 mph slower relative to train B.
3. Train B is moving 10 mph faster than train A.

➢ ACTIVITY 3: “ONE OR TWO, ANY WILL DO”

1. a) Anna is at rest relative to the ground. Therefore, VAG =0

b) The velocity of Dodong relative to Carla can be obtained by subtracting

Carla’s velocity relative to Anna from Dodong’s velocity relative to Anna.
In symbols:
VDC= VDA – VCA

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 VDC = 3.0 m/s – 2.0 m/s
VDC= 1.0 m/s
c) Since it is stated that Dodong is walking at his normal walking speed on
the platform (P). His normal walking speed is just V DP. We can calculate
this because we know how fast both the platform and Dodong are moving
away from Anna. The velocity of Dodong relative to the platform is:
VDP= VDA- VPA
VDP= 3.0 m/s – 2.0 m/s
VDP = 1.0 m/s
Therefore, Dodong’s normal walking speed is 1.0 m/s
d) The velocity of Carla relative to Bert is:
VCB= VCA- VBA
VCB= 2.0 m/s – 1.0 m/s
VDP = 1.0 m/s

2. a) 𝑣𝐵𝑆 = 𝑣𝐵𝑊 + 𝑣𝑊𝑆

2 2 2
𝑣𝐵𝑆 = 𝑣𝐵𝑊 + 𝑣𝑊𝑆
2 2
𝑣𝐵𝑆 = √𝑣𝐵𝑊 + 𝑣𝑊𝑆

𝑣𝐵𝑆 = √3.52 + 1.72

Ө
𝑣𝐵𝑆 = √12.25 + 2.89
𝑣𝐵𝑆 = √15. 14
𝑣𝐵𝑆 = 3. 89 𝑚/𝑠

Note: In here, we will make use of a vector The above figure shows the vector diagram when
equation using the Pythagorean Theorem the boat heads north and the river flowing east.
a2+b2= c2 since a right triangle is formed.

Since velocity requires a direction, we need to

find the angle of the boat relative to the shore
using the SOHCAHTOA.
𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
tanӨ = 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑣𝑊𝑆
tanӨ= 𝑣𝐵𝑆
1.7 𝑚/𝑠
tanӨ= 3.5 𝑚/𝑠 64. 1°
Ө= tan -1 (1.7 𝑚/𝑠)
3.5 𝑚/𝑠
Ө= 25. 9°
Therefore, the velocity of the boat is 3.89 m/s at an angle
of 29. 1° E of N or 3.89 m/s at 64. 1° N of E
90°- 25.9 = 64. 1°

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 b) The river is 200 m wide and the boat is heading North at 3.5 m/s. Let 𝑑𝑦 = 200 m
𝑑
and 𝑣𝑦 = 3.5 m/s (since it is moving along y axis). Using the speed formula v= 𝑡 ,
let us find t. 𝑑
𝑡=
𝑣
200 𝑚
𝑡=
3.5 𝑚/𝑠

𝑡 = 57. 14 s

c) The river is moving at 1.7 m/s East so the distance downstream is basically the
horizontal displacement equated as 𝑑𝑥= 𝑣 ∙ t. Substitute the value,

𝑑𝑥= 𝑣 ∙ t
𝑚
𝑑𝑥= (1.7 ) ∙ (57. 14 𝑠)
𝑠
𝑑𝑥= = 97.14 𝑚

100 𝑘𝑚 100 𝑚 1ℎ
1. × × = 27. 78 𝑚/𝑠 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
tanӨ = 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
ℎ 1 𝑘𝑚 3600 𝑠

𝑣𝐶𝑆 = 𝑣𝑆𝑊 + 𝑣𝐶𝑊 𝑣

tanӨ= 𝑣𝐶𝑊
𝑆𝑊
2 2 2 0.3 𝑚/𝑠
𝑣𝐶𝑆 = 𝑣𝑆𝑊 + 𝑣𝐶𝑊 tanӨ= 27.78 𝑚/𝑠
2 2 0.3 𝑚/𝑠
𝑣𝐶𝑆 = √𝑣𝑆𝑊 + 𝑣𝐶𝑊 Ө= tan -1 (27.78 𝑚/𝑠)
𝑣𝐵𝑆 = √27.782 + 0.32 Ө= 0.62°
𝑣𝐵𝑆 = √771.73 + 0.09
𝑣𝐵𝑆 = √771. 82 90°- 0.62° = 89.38°
𝑣𝐵𝑆 = 27. 78 𝑚/𝑠
Therefore, the velocity of the crab relative to the ship IS 27.78 m/s at angle of 0.62 E of N or
27. 78 m/s at an angle of 89.38 N of E.

2. 6 m/s West

3. Since the star fish is stationary, velocity is zero.

4. Answers may vary

- Answers may vary

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 1. a) 𝑣𝐵𝑆
2
= 𝑣𝐵𝑊 + 𝑣𝑊𝑆
2 2
𝑣𝐵𝑆 = 𝑣𝐵𝑊 + 𝑣𝑊𝑆
2 2
𝑣𝐵𝑆 = √𝑣𝐵𝑊 + 𝑣𝑊𝑆

𝑣𝐵𝑆 = √2.82 + 1.32

𝑣𝐵𝑆 = √7.84 + 1.69
𝑣𝐵𝑆 = √9.53
𝑣𝐵𝑆 = 3. 09 𝑚/𝑠

𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
tanӨ = 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑣𝑊𝑆
tanӨ= 𝑣𝐵𝑆
1.3 𝑚/𝑠
tanӨ= 2.8 𝑚/𝑠
1.3 𝑚/𝑠
Ө= tan -1 (2.8 𝑚/𝑠)
65. 1°
Ө= 24.90 °

90°- 24.90 = 65.10°

Therefore, the velocity of the boat is 3.09 m/s at an angle of 24. 9° E
of N or 3.09 m/s at 65. 1° N of E relative to the shore

b.) 𝑑 =𝑣∙𝑡 𝑑 =𝑣∙𝑡 𝑑 =𝑣∙𝑡

𝑚 𝑚 𝑚
𝑑 = 2.8 ∙ 5 𝑠 𝑑 = 1.3 ∙ 5 𝑠 𝑑 = 3.09 ∙ 5 𝑠
𝑠 𝑠 𝑠
𝑑 = 14 𝑚 𝑑 = 6. 5 𝑚 𝑑 = 15. 45 𝑚

𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
tanӨ = 𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑣𝑊𝑆
tanӨ= Therefore, the new position of the boat is 15. 45 m at an
𝑣𝐵𝑆
angle of 24. 90° E of N.
6.5 𝑚/𝑠
tanӨ= 14 𝑚/𝑠

Ө= tan -1 6.5 𝑚/𝑠

(14 )
𝑚/𝑠
Ө= 24.90 °

2. a) The river is moving at 0.7 m/s West so the distance downstream is basically
the horizontal displacement equated as 𝑑𝑥= 𝑣 ∙ t. Substitute the value,

𝑑𝑥= 𝑣 ∙ t
𝑚
𝑑𝑥= (0.7 ) ∙ (66. 67 𝑠)
𝑠
𝑑𝑥= = 46.67 𝑚

17
b) The river is 80 m wide and the swimmer is heading North at 1.2 m/s. Let 𝑑𝑦 = 80
𝑑
m and 𝑣𝑦 = 1.2 m/s. Using the speed formula v= 𝑡 , let us find t.

𝑑
𝑡=
𝑣
80 𝑚
𝑡=
1.2 𝑚/𝑠

𝑡 = 66. 67 s

3. Let us represent the velocity of the motorcycle as 𝑣𝑀 and the velocity of the
car as 𝑣𝐶 .
Now, the velocity of the motorcycle relative to the point of view of a passenger
is given as 𝑣𝑀𝐶 = 𝑣𝑀 - 𝑣𝐶
Substituting the values in the above equation, we get
𝑣𝑀𝐶 = 120 km/h – 90 km/h
𝑣𝑀𝐶 = 30 km/h
Therefore, the velocity of the motorcycle relative to the passenger of the car is
30 km/h

REFERENCES

• Giancoli, Douglas C., Physics Principles with Applications Fifth Edition,

Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd Reprinted 2005 © 1998, 1995,
1991, 1985, 1980

• The Commission on Higher Education in collaboration with the Philippine

Normal University, Teaching Guide for Senior High School General
Physics 1 Specialized Subject | Academic – STEM, 13 June
2016,https://www.academia.edu/37699694/Teaching_Guide_for_Senior_H
igh_School_GENERAL_PHYSICS_1

• Physics-IntroductionToMotion-Relative Velocity.
https://byjus.com/physics/relative-velocity/

• https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/5d95fdf6a3ca4b001af98b09/relative-
velocity

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyPxHimIr-0

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-mzp1lQo7E

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