Question

An airplane is traveling at a speed of 100 m/s relative to the Earth. Elise walks from her seat toward the front of the plane at a speed of 4 m/s. How fast is Elise traveling in reference to the other people on the airplane?

a) 100 m/s
b) 4 m/s
c) 104 m/s
d) 96 m/s

Answer 1

Elise is traveling at a speed of 96 m/s in the opposite direction relative to the other people on the airplane.

Step-by-step explanation:

Elise is walking towards the front of the plane with a speed of 4 m/s. Since the plane is moving at a speed of 100 m/s relative to the Earth, Elise's speed relative to the other people on the airplane can be found by subtracting the speed of the plane from her walking speed.

1. Elise's speed relative to the other people on the airplane = Elise's walking speed - Plane's speed
   
2. Elise's speed relative to the other people on the airplane = 4 m/s - 100 m/s
   
3. Elise's speed relative to the other people on the airplane = -96 m/s

Therefore, Elise is traveling at a speed of 96 m/s in the opposite direction relative to the other people on the airplane.