Frames of reference Transitional Reasoning Download PDF

Questions

1. 1.

   On a straight east-west coastal channel, Patrol Boat 1 travels due east at a constant speed of 18 m/s relative to the shore, while Patrol Boat 2 travels due east ahead of it at a constant speed of 11 m/s relative to the shore. A stationary radar station on the shore and an officer aboard Patrol Boat 1 simultaneously monitor the motion of Patrol Boat 2. Which statement correctly identifies how the shore radar station and the officer on Patrol Boat 1 describe the velocity of Patrol Boat 2?

   • A) Both observers measure Patrol Boat 2 moving due east at 11 m/s because velocity is independent of the chosen reference frame.
   • B) The shore station measures a velocity of 11 m/s due east, while the officer on Patrol Boat 1 measures a velocity of 7 m/s due east.
   • C) The shore station measures a velocity of 29 m/s due east, while the officer on Patrol Boat 1 measures a velocity of 18 m/s due west.
   • D) The shore station measures a velocity of 11 m/s due east, while the officer on Patrol Boat 1 measures a velocity of 7 m/s due west.
2. 2.

   In an automated distribution center, a straight conveyor belt moves due north at a constant velocity of 2 m/s relative to the building floor. An inspection drone hovers motionlessly above a fixed marker on the floor, while an automated barcode scanner moves along the belt due south at a constant speed of 2 m/s relative to the belt surface. Which statement accurately describes the motion of the barcode scanner according to the reference frame of the belt and the reference frame of the drone?

   • A) The scanner is at rest relative to the belt and moves north at 2 m/s relative to the drone.
   • B) The scanner moves south at 4 m/s relative to the belt and is at rest relative to the drone.
   • C) The scanner moves south at 2 m/s relative to the belt and remains at rest relative to the drone.
   • D) The scanner moves north at 2 m/s relative to the belt and moves south at 4 m/s relative to the drone.
3. 3.

   A passenger sitting in a train traveling along a straight track at a constant velocity of 25 m/s relative to the ground drops a coin from rest relative to the carriage. Observer X is seated inside the train observing the fall, while Observer Y stands stationary on the platform viewing the train through a transparent window. Neglecting air resistance, which statement correctly compares how Observer X and Observer Y describe the trajectory and horizontal motion of the falling coin in their respective frames of reference?

   • A) Observer X describes the trajectory as a curved parabola drifting backward, while Observer Y observes a purely vertical drop because the coin leaves the train's reference frame upon release.
   • B) Both observers describe identical parabolic trajectories toward the floor because downward gravitational acceleration affects the coin equally regardless of the observer's motion.
   • C) Observer X describes the trajectory as a straight vertical drop, while Observer Y observes the coin rapidly decelerating horizontally to a complete stop before reaching the floor.
   • D) Observer X observes a straight vertical drop with zero horizontal velocity, while Observer Y observes a forward curved parabolic trajectory with a constant horizontal velocity equal to the train's speed.