Question

A 150 m long train moves towards south at a speed of 10 m/s. A sparrow flying at a speed of 5 m/s towards north crosses the train. What is the relative velocity of the sparrow with respect to the train?

A) 15 m/s (South)
B) 15 m/s (North)
C) 11 m/s (East)
D) 5 m/s (South)

Answer 1

The relative velocity of the sparrow with respect to the train, which is moving toward the south, is 15 m/s toward the north.

Step-by-step explanation:

The relative velocity of the sparrow with respect to the train is the velocity of the sparrow minus the velocity of the train. Since the train moves towards the south at 10 m/s and the sparrow flies north at 5 m/s, the relative velocity of these two objects moving in opposite directions is the sum of their speeds. Therefore, the relative velocity of the sparrow with respect to the train is:

10 m/s (south) + 5 m/s (north) = 15 m/s

However, since we are looking for the relative velocity of the sparrow with respect to the train, and the sparrow is flying north, we will express this relative velocity as being towards the north:

15 m/s (North)

Thus, the correct answer is B) 15 m/s (North).