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Suppose you walk toward the rear of a moving train. Describe your motion as seen from a reference point on the train. Then describe it from a reference point on the ground.

2 Answers

6 votes

Final answer:

From the train's frame of reference, you are moving toward the rear at your walking speed in the opposite direction of the train's forward motion. From the ground's frame of reference, you are still moving forward relative to the ground but at a slower rate than the train, considering both train speed and walking speed.

Step-by-step explanation:

When you walk toward the rear of a moving train, your motion can be described from two different frames of reference: one on the train and one on the ground. From a reference point on the train, you are simply moving toward the rear with a certain speed relative to the train. This could be described as you moving in the opposite direction of the train's forward motion, at your walking speed. If the train is moving forward at 10 m/s and you walk toward the rear at 2 m/s, from the train's frame of reference, your velocity would be -2 m/s. Now, let's switch to a reference point on the ground. From this frame of reference, your motion is more complex because you must consider both the speed of the train and your walking speed. If the train is moving forward at 10 m/s and you are walking toward the rear at 2 m/s, your speed relative to the ground would be 10 m/s - 2 m/s, which is 8 m/s in the direction the train is moving. Essentially, you are still moving forward relative to the ground but at a slower rate than the train. It's important to note that there isn't a single, correct reference frame to describe your motion; both descriptions are valid within their respective frames. Motion does not happen in isolation, and how it is perceived depends on the reference frame of the observer.

User Klaus Rohe
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Galiliean relativity ... low speeds

hopefully train moving forwards ... from the train you are receding from it ... moving away from it ... from the ground ... the distance between you and the train is increasing ...

The hig speed (half speed of light, eg) version is Einstein et al



User Daralyn
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