Question

A school bus moves at 15 m/s relative to an outside observer. If a student walks toward the front of the bus at 3 m/s relative to the bus, how fast is the student moving relative to the observer?

If the same student turns around and walks to the back of the bus at 3 m/s, what is the relative velocity of
the student to the observer?

Answer 1

A.) 18 m/s

B.) 12 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that a school bus moves at 15 m/s relative to an outside observer. If a student walks toward the front of the bus at 3 m/s relative to the bus, how fast is the student moving relative to the observer ?

Since the student direction is in the direction of the bus, the student velocity relative to the bus velocity will be:

15 + 3 = 18 m/s

Therefore, the observer will see the student moving very fast at a speed of 18 m/s

If the same student turns around and walks to the back of the bus at 3 m/s, the student will be moving in an opposite direction. The relative velocity of the student to the observer will be 15 - 3 = 12 m/s

Therefore, the observe will see the student moving very fast at a speed of 12 m/s