Relative, the word usually refers to comparison, and velocity is nothing but refers to the displacement of any material/thing with time, i.e., comparison of the velocity of any two objects that are moving or stationary either in different/opposite directions is termed as relative velocity in the opposite direction.
Please scroll down the article to learn more about the facts and details of relative velocity in opposite direction and its related problems.
What do you mean by relative velocity in physics?
Relative, the word usually refers to comparison, and velocity is nothing but the displacement of any material/thing with time. This concept is used when there is a need to compare two or more velocities of the objects. Here it is not necessary for both the objects to be in motion.
One body can rest, and the other can be in motion. In physics, if we know the meaning of relative velocity, then we can easily learn its definition by considering its motion.
What do you mean by relative velocity in the opposite direction in physics?
Can observe the objects moving in the same or opposite direction. When they travel in the opposite direction, and if we are required to calculate their velocity in comparison to one another, it is defined as the relative velocity in the opposite direction. It can be measured using a specific formula.
Can measure this relative velocity in the opposite direction by taking the sum of the velocities in which the objects travel.
Relative velocity in different direction
The objects can move in different directions; when they travel in a different direction, and if we require to calculate their velocity in comparison to one another, then it is defined as the relative velocity of the bodies traveling in a different direction. It can be measured using a specific formula.
It can be calculated by checking the directions of objects. If they move in the same path, then take the difference between them and vice versa when they move in the opposite direction.
Relative velocity in opposite direction formula
The two bodies can be observed to move in the opposite direction; when they travel on different paths, and if we require to calculate their velocity in comparison to one another, then it is defined as the relative velocity in the opposite direction.
In the case of relative velocity in the opposite direction, we must take the sum of the velocities of the two materials traveling opposite paths.
It can be measured using the specific formula that is as mentioned below;
VJK = VJ + VK
Here,
VJK refers to the relative velocity of the two bodies that travel on opposite paths
VJ indicates the velocity of object J in one direction
VK indicates the velocity of the object K in the opposite direction
How to find relative velocity of objects in opposite direction?
We can find out the relative velocity of any two objects that travels on the opposite path by taking their values and adding the velocities of both the material respective to one another. This way, we will be able to measure the relative velocity in the opposite direction.
We can even use the formula of relative velocity as VCD = VC + VD
Does relative velocity depend on the direction of the object?
To measure the relative velocity of any two materials, the direction of the body is one of the important factors to consider as it helps to know when to take the difference and when to take something of the velocities to know the exact value of relative velocity. Hence the relative velocity of the object surely depends on the direction.
It also simplifies whether the object moves at higher or lower velocity.
Problems based on relative velocity in the opposite direction
Here are some basic problem examples based on relative velocity in the opposite direction.
Problem 1
A man named Suresh is seen to move east with a velocity of 5 kmph, and another man named Gagan approaches Suresh from the west with a three kmph. Now measure the relative velocity of these two persons?
Solution: First, note down the given data; let us take Vs. for the velocity of Suresh and VA for the velocity of Gagan.
VS = 5 kmph
VA = 3 kmph
Now consider the formula for measuring relative velocity; in this case, we must take the sum of the velocities of these two vehicles.
VSA = VS + VA
VSA = (5 + 3) kmph
VSA = 8 kmph
Therefore, the relative velocity of the two persons concerning one another is eight kmph.
Problem 2
Consider two vehicles, C and D, moving in opposite paths with velocities of 30 kmph and 50 kmph, and they cover a distance of 250 km. Measure the relative velocities of these two vehicles?
Solution: First, note down the given data; let us take VC for the velocity of vehicle C and V for the velocity of vehicle D.
VC = 30 kmph
VD = 50 kmph
Now consider the formula for measuring relative velocity; in this case, we must take the sum of the velocities of these two vehicles.
VCD = VC + VD
VCD = (30 + 50) kmph
VCD = 80 kmph
Therefore, the relative velocity of the two vehicles concerning one another is 80 kmph.
Problem 3
Consider a bird flies in the sky in one direction with a velocity equal to 15 kmph, and it spots another bird approaching it with a velocity equal to 18 kmph. Measure the relative velocities of these two birds moving in the opposite direction?
Solution: First, note down the given data; let us take VB for the velocity of the first bird and VE for the velocity of the second bird.
VB = 15 kmph
VE = 18 kmph
Now consider the formula for measuring relative velocity; in this case, we must take the sum of the velocities of these two vehicles.
VBE = VB + VE
VBE = (15 + 18) kmph
VBE = 33 kmph
Therefore, the relative velocity of the two vehicles concerning one another is 33 kmph.
Problem 4
A dog that runs randomly on the street is spotted by its owner from a distance of 250 m. The dog saw its owner and started to play hide and seek and ran at a velocity equal to 7 kmph; the owner took the opposite path and ran toward the dog with a velocity equal to 6 kmph. Now measure the relative velocity in this case?
Solution: Solution: First, note down the given data; let us take VD for the dog’s velocity and VW for the velocity of the owner.
VD = 2 kmph
VW = 3 kmph
Now consider the formula for measuring relative velocity; in this case, we must take the sum of the velocities of these two vehicles.
VDW = VD + VW
VDW = (7 + 6) kmph
VDW = 13 kmph
Therefore, the relative velocity of the two vehicles concerning one another is 13 kmph.
Problem 5
A kid who runs randomly on the street is spotted by his mother from a distance of 180 m. The kid saw the mother and started running at a velocity equal to 2 kmph; the mother took the opposite path and came toward the kid with a velocity equal to 4 kmph. Now measure the relative velocity in this case?
Solution: First, note down the given data; let us take VK for the velocity of the kid and VM for the velocity of the mother.
VK = 2 kmph
VM = 3 kmph
Now consider the formula for measuring relative velocity. In this case, we must take the sum of the velocities of these two vehicles.
VKM = VK + VM
VKM = (2 + 3) kmph
VKM = 5 kmph
Therefore, the relative velocity concerning one another is five kmph.
These are important facts and problems related to relative velocity in opposite directions.
Summary
Therefore, relative velocity is one of the essential concepts in physics that must learn clearly. The above mentioned are some important facts that help understand this concept.
Also Read:
- How to compute velocity in particle collisions
- How to calculate velocity of a wave on a string
- Relative velocity after collision
- How to find angular acceleration from angular velocity
- How to calculate velocity of string
- Drag coefficient and velocity
- How to find constant acceleration with velocity and time
- How to find average velocity on a acceleration time graph
- Constant velocity in displacement time graph
- How to find time when velocity is zero 2
I am Raghavi Acharya, I have completed my post-graduation in physics with a specialization in the field of condensed matter physics. I have always considered Physics to be a captivating area of study and I enjoy exploring the various fields of this subject. In my free time, I engage myself in digital art. My articles are aimed towards delivering the concepts of physics in a very simplified manner to the readers.