Relative velocity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Relative velocity
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The relative velocity

(also
or
frame of another object or observer A.

) is the velocity of an object or observer B in the rest

Contents
1 Classical mechanics

1.1 In one dimension (non-relativistic)

1.2 In two dimensions (non-relativistic)

1.3 Galilean transformation (non-relativistic)

2 Special Relativity

2.1 Parallel Velocities

2.2 Perpendicular Velocities

2.3 General Case

3 Notes

4 References

5 External links

Classical mechanics
In one dimension (non-relativistic)
We begin with relative motion in the classical,
(or non-relativistic, or the Newtonian
approximation) that all speeds are much less
than the speed of light. This limit is associated
with the Galilean transformation. The figure
shows a man on top of a train, at the back
edge. At 1:00 pm he begins to walk forward at
a walking speed of 10 km/hr (kilometers per
Relative motion man on train
hour). The train is moving at 40 km/hr. The
figure depicts the man and train at two
different times: first, when the journey began, and also one hour later at 2:00 pm. The figure
suggests that the man is 50 km from the starting point after having traveled (by walking and by train)
for one hour. This, by definition, is 50 km/hour, which suggests that the prescription for calculating
relative velocity in this fashion is to add the two velocities.

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The figure displays clocks and rulers to remind the reader that while the logic behind this calculation
seem flawless, it makes false assumptions about how clocks and rulers behave. (See The trainand-platform thought experiment.) To recognize that this classical model of relative motion violates
special relativity, we generalize the example into an equation:

where:

is the velocity of the Man relative to Earth.

is the velocity of the Man relative to the Train.

is the velocity of the Train relative to Earth.

Fully legitimate expressions for "the velocity of A relative to B" include "the velocity of A with respect
to B" and "the velocity of A in the coordinate system where B is always at rest". The violation of
special relativity occurs because this equation for relative velocity falsely predicts that different
observers will measure different speeds when observing the motion of light. [note 1]

In two dimensions (non-relativistic)

The figure shows two objects (A and B) moving at
constant velocity. The equations of motion are:

,
where the subscript i refers to the initial displacement
(at time t equal to zero). The difference between the
two displacement vectors,
, represents the
location of B as seen from A.

Relative velocities between two particles in

classical mechanics.

Hence:

After making the substitutions,

and

, we have:

Though easy to learn, this notation is unfortunately a bit cumbersome for lengthy calculations.

Galilean transformation (non-relativistic)

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To construct a theory of relative motion consistent with the theory of special relativity, we must adopt
a different convention. Continuing to work in the (non-relativistic) Newtonian limit we begin with a
Galilean transformation in one dimension:[note 2]
t'=t
where x' is the position as seen by a reference frame that is moving at speed, v, in the "unprimed" (x)
reference frame.[note 3] Taking the differential of the first of the two equations above, we have,
, and what may to be the obvious[note 4] fact that

, we have:

To recover the previous expressions for relative velocity, we assume that particle A is following the
path defined by dx/dt in the unprimed reference (and hence dx'/dt' in the primed frame). Thus
and
, where
and
refer to motion of A as seen by an observer
in the unprimed and primed frame, respectively. Recall that v is the motion of a stationary object in
the primed frame, as seen from the unprimed frame. Thus we have
, and:
,
where the latter form has the desired (easily learned) symmetry.

Special Relativity
As in classical mechanics, in Special Relativity the relative velocity
is the velocity of an object or
observer B in the rest frame of another object or observer A. However, unlike the case of classical
mechanics, in Special Relativity, it is generally not the case that

This peculiar lack of symmetry is related to Thomas precession and the fact that two successive
Lorentz transformations rotate the coordinate system. This rotation has no effect on the magnitude of
a vector, and hence relative speed is symmetrical.

Parallel Velocities
In the case where two objects are traveling in parallel directions, the relativistic formula for relative
velocity is similar in form to the formula for addition of relativistic velocities.

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The relative speed is given by the formula:

Perpendicular Velocities
In the case where two objects are traveling in perpendicular directions, the relativistic relative velocity
is given by the formula:

where

The relative speed is given by the formula

General Case
The general formula for the relative velocity

of an object or observer B in the rest frame of

another object or observer A is given by the formula:[1]

where

The relative speed is given by the formula

See also:
Special relativity - Composition of velocities (Wikipedia)
Velocity-addition formula (Wikipedia)

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Wikiversity Special Relativity (https://en.wikiversity.org/w/index.php?title=Special_relativity&

oldid=1134991) (Wikiversity)

Notes
1. For example, replace the "Man" by a photon traveling at the speed of light.
2. This result is valid if all motion is restricted to the x-axis, but can be easily generalized by replacing the first
equation by
3. It is easy to be confused about the minus sign before v, or whether v is defined in the prime or unprimed
reference frame. It might help to visualize the fact that if x=vt, then x'=0, meaning that a particle that is
following the path x=vt is at rest in the primed reference frame.

4. Keep in mind that, dt=dt' is not valid at high speeds due to time dilation.

References
1. Fock 1964 The theory of Space Time and Gravitation, retrieved from https://archive.org/details
/TheTheoryOfSpaceTimeGravitation

Alonso & Finn, Fundamental University Physics ISBN 0-201-56518-8

Greenwood, Donald T, Principles of Dynamics.
Goodman and Warner, Dynamics.

Beer and Johnston, Statics and Dynamics.

McGraw Hill Dictionary of Physics and Mathematics.

Rindler, W., Essential Relativity.

KHURMI R.S., Mechanics, Engineering Mechanics, Statics, Dynamics

External links
Relative Motion at HyperPhysics (http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/relmot.html)
A Java applet illustrating Relative Velocity, by Andrew Duffy (http://physics.bu.edu/~duffy
/java/RelV2.html)

Relatv mozgs (1)...(3) (http://www.fizkapu.hu/fizfilm/fizfilm1.html) Relative motion of two

train (1)...(3). Videos on the portal FizKapu (http://www.fizkapu.hu). (Hungarian)

Sebessgek sszegzse (http://www.fizkapu.hu/fizfilm/fizfilm1.html) Relative tranquility of trout

in creek. Video on the portal FizKapu (http://www.fizkapu.hu). (Hungarian)

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Categories: Physical quantities Classical mechanics Special relativity Velocity

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