Question

A train is moving to the East at 50 mph, and a passenger is running toward the back of the train at 5 mph.

Velocity of person equals 5 miles per hour west... velocity of train equals 50 miles per hour east..

What is the relative velocity of the passenger with respect to a stationary observer watching the train go by?

55 mph East

45 mph East

10 mph East

40 mph East

Answer 1

45 mph East

Step-by-step explanation:

If east is the positive direction, then the train's velocity relative to the stationary observer is +50 mph, and the passenger's velocity relative to the train is -5 mph.

Therefore, the passenger's velocity relative to the stationary observer is:

v = 50 + -5

v = 45

Since the answer is positive, the passenger's velocity is 45 mph East.