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Relative Velocity

This document discusses the concept of relative velocity. It defines relative velocity as the time rate of change of relative displacement between two objects. The relative velocity of object P2 with respect to object P1 is calculated as v2 - v1. The relative displacement and velocity can be positive, negative, or zero depending on whether the velocities of the two objects are the same, in the same direction, or opposite directions. Position-time graphs of objects in relative motion will have different slopes if their relative velocity is non-zero, and parallel slopes if their relative velocity is zero. Relative velocity in two dimensions is calculated as the difference between the velocity vectors of two objects.

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Anurag Malik
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1K views3 pages

Relative Velocity

This document discusses the concept of relative velocity. It defines relative velocity as the time rate of change of relative displacement between two objects. The relative velocity of object P2 with respect to object P1 is calculated as v2 - v1. The relative displacement and velocity can be positive, negative, or zero depending on whether the velocities of the two objects are the same, in the same direction, or opposite directions. Position-time graphs of objects in relative motion will have different slopes if their relative velocity is non-zero, and parallel slopes if their relative velocity is zero. Relative velocity in two dimensions is calculated as the difference between the velocity vectors of two objects.

Uploaded by

Anurag Malik
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Relative Velocity

Introduction:
                      To study a number of one-dimensional problems, concept of relative
velocity is essential. If we say that the velocity of train is 50 km/ h; it simply means that it
is with respect to observer standing on earth. Suppose a cyclist chases the train with a
velocity 10 km/h; then the displacement of train in 1 hour is 50 km relative to observer
on earth and 40 km/ h relative to cyclist chasing the train.
Formula for Relative Velocity

Consider two objects P1 and P2 moving with uniform velocities v1 and v2 along the same
straight line. Let x1(0), x2(0) be their initial positions and x1, x2 their positions after time t.
Then,   
For object P1,

Displacement of object P1 in time t

For object P2,

Displacement of object P2 in time t

Subtracting (2) from (3)

This equation gives the displacement of object P2 with respect to P1 and is called the
relative displacement. While the quantity (v2-v1) is called the relative velocity of object
P2 with respect to P1.
Thus, relative velocity is the time rate of change of relative displacement of one object
with respect to other.

The relative displacement and relative velocity may be positive, negative or zero.
Clearly, relative velocity of object P2 relative to P1 is vr=v2-v1=velocity of P2- velocity of
P1.
 
If v2> v1 the relative velocity is positive.
If v2< v1 the relative velocity is negative.
If v2= v1 the relative velocity is zero.

Position – Time Graph of Object in Relative Motion


 If  v2-v1 =0,  or v2=v1, then we note that the objects remain at constant distance
apart, so their position-time graphs have same slope, consequently their graphs will
be parallel straight lines.
 If If  v2-v1 is non-zero or   v2 ≠ v1 ,    then their position-time graphs must have
different slopes. That is one graphs must meet once at a common point.

Explanation for Two Dimension's Relative Velocity


Equation for relative velocity in two dimension:
         The two dimension object derive the relative velocity with vectors. Consider the
example, A and B are particles with vA and vB velocities respectively and in coordinate
system. Therefore relative velocity of system is vA rel B = vA - vB.
          If B velocity is related to A means vB rel A = vB - vA. If there is no any specification
for coordinate system means alternatively use the inertial coordinate system.
Example for Relative Velocity in Two Dimension
Special case of rain and man:
           By using the concept of relative velocity, the proper inclination of umbrella held
by a man in falling rain may be estimated   =    -   =    + (-  ).

     

Let    be the velocity of man and    be the velocity of vertically falling rain. If    is the
relative velocity of rain with respect to man,      

       tan   =    =   . That is velocity of rain with respect to man may be estimated by
adding to the velocity of rain.
         The relative velocity is used in classical and modern physics and basic for two
dimension operation. It is denoted by vectors and particles motion is evaluated. The
relative velocity has a freedom for choosing the frame that is independent velocity. In
two dimension, the opposite direction is indicated in diagram with negative sign and
same direction is indicated in diagram is positive sign.

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