A spy runs from the front to the back of an
aircraft carrier at a velocity of 3.4 m/s. The
aircraft carrier is moving forward at 15.0 m/s.
How fast does the spy appear to be running when viewed by an observer on a nearby
stationary submarine (forward is positive)?
Answer in units of m/s.
+15.0 - 3.4 = +11.6 m/s
assuming that the speed of light is very large compared to these velocities ...
To find the apparent velocity of the spy as viewed by the observer on the submarine, we need to consider the relative velocity between the spy and the submarine.
The relative velocity can be calculated by subtracting the velocity of the submarine from the velocity of the spy.
Relative velocity = Velocity of the spy - Velocity of the submarine
Given:
Velocity of the spy = 3.4 m/s
Velocity of the submarine = -15.0 m/s (since the submarine is stationary)
Relative velocity = 3.4 m/s - (-15.0 m/s)
= 3.4 m/s + 15.0 m/s
= 18.4 m/s
Therefore, the spy will appear to be running at a speed of 18.4 m/s when viewed by the observer on the nearby stationary submarine.
To determine how fast the spy appears to be running when viewed by an observer on a nearby stationary submarine, we need to consider the relative motion between the spy and the submarine.
The speed of the spy relative to the submarine would be the difference between the speed of the spy and the speed of the aircraft carrier.
Relative speed = Spy's speed - Aircraft carrier's speed
Given:
Spy's speed (v_spy) = 3.4 m/s (running from front to back)
Aircraft carrier's speed (v_carrier) = 15.0 m/s (moving forward)
Relative speed = 3.4 m/s - 15.0 m/s
= -11.6 m/s
The negative sign indicates that the spy is moving in the opposite direction to the submarine.
Therefore, the spy appears to be running at a speed of 11.6 m/s when viewed by an observer on a nearby stationary submarine.