Question

In the laboratory two particle are observed to travel in opposite direction with speed of 2.80 x 1010 cm/sec. deduce the relative speed of particle.

Answer 1

Relative speed for approaching bodies is given by :

Relative speed = sum of the speeds.

Reason:

Let the two bodies have same speed of v .

If one is moving in the opposite direction, the magnitude and direction of the velocity is :

-v

Relative speed is the difference of the two speeds is :

Relative speed = v - (-v) = 2v

From the explanation above the relative speed of the two particles is :

Rs = 2 × 2.80 × 10¹⁰ = 5.6 × 10¹⁰ cm/s