Question

A man walks backward on a bus. To a stationary observer, the bus moves east at a speed of 15 m/s. If the man moves 2.3 m/s west relative to the bus, what is his velocity in the frame of reference of a stationary observer?

a. 12.7 m/s west
b. 17.3 m/s east
c. 15 m/s east
d. 12.7 m/s east

Answer 1

The man's velocity in the frame of reference of a stationary observer is 12.7 m/s east.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this problem, we need to find the velocity of the man in the frame of reference of a stationary observer. The bus is moving east at a speed of 15 m/s, and the man moves 2.3 m/s west relative to the bus.

To find the man's velocity relative to the stationary observer, we need to subtract the velocity of the bus from the velocity of the man

Velocity of the man = Velocity of the man relative to the bus - Velocity of the bus

Velocity of the man = 2.3 m/s west - 15 m/s east = -12.7 m/s east

Therefore, the man's velocity in the frame of reference of a stationary observer is 12.7 m/s east.