Consider a person standing still on the ground and a car, which is moving with a constant speed

Dominick Blanchard

Dominick Blanchard

Answered question

2022-05-18

Consider a person standing still on the ground and a car, which is moving with a constant speed v in a straight line. From the frame of reference of the car the person is moving backwards with same speed v.
What causes to the person to move backwards in the frame of reference of the car?

Answer & Explanation

agentbangsterfhes2

agentbangsterfhes2

Beginner2022-05-19Added 15 answers

As you said, in the reference frame of the car, the person is moving at a constant speed v. Assuming that | v | is much less than the speed of light, we may apply Newtonian mechanics in this situation. The first Newton's law states that a body free of forces is at rest or moving in straight lines at constants speeds, as seen by an inertial reference frame. So this is exactly the case of the person moving in respect to the car (which is an inertial frame): It is free of any forces since it is moving at a constant speed!
studovnaem4z6

studovnaem4z6

Beginner2022-05-20Added 7 answers

Nothing causes the person to move. Forces cause accelerations and the person is not accelerating. When you change to the car reference frame, the person will already be moving. As its velocity does not change there will be no acceleration.
To analyze the forces acting on the person, you would need to start your analysis by considering a car at rest that is accelerated. Then you will see a "fictitious" force acting on the person.

Do you have a similar question?

Recalculate according to your conditions!

New Questions in Relativity

Ask your question.
Get an expert answer.

Let our experts help you. Answer in as fast as 15 minutes.

Didn't find what you were looking for?