Question

Objects A and B are at the origin. If object A moves to `(-5 ,-1 )` and object B moves to `(5 ,3 )` over `3 s`, what is the relative velocity of object B from the perspective of object A? Assume that all units are denominated in meters.

Answer 1

Velocity is `3.59` m/s in the direction given by `theta=21.8^o`

Explanation:

The movement of `B` relative to `A` is given by `((5-(-5)),(3-(-1))` or `(10,4)`.

Converting `(10,4)` to polar coordinates `(r,theta)`, they are given by`r=sqrt(10^2+4^2)` and `theta=tan^(-1)(4/10)` i.e. `r=sqrt(116)` and `theta=tan^(-1)0.4`

i.e. `r=10.77` and `theta=21.8^o`

As the distance is covered in `3` seconds,

Velocity is `10.77/3=3.59` m/s in the direction given by `theta=21.8^o`