Relative Motion - Handwritten Style Notes
1. Introduction
Relative Motion is the study of motion of an object with respect to another object. It answers: 'How fast is A
moving as seen by B?'
2. Frame of Reference
A frame of reference is a coordinate system relative to which we observe motion. Usually, Earth is considered
an inertial frame for JEE problems.
3. Key Formula
If object A moves with velocity v_A and object B with v_B, then the velocity of A relative to B:
v_AB = v_A - v_B
4. Position & Displacement
r_AB(t) = r_A(t) - r_B(t)
a_AB = a_A - a_B
5. Conceptual Understanding
Relative motion only matters when two objects are moving. If both have same velocity, they appear stationary
relative to each other.
6. Case 1: Same Direction
v_AB = v_A - v_B
If v_A > v_B, A approaches B.
If v_A < v_B, A recedes.
7. Case 2: Opposite Directions
v_AB = v_A + v_B
Effective speed increases. Used in meeting problems.
Relative Motion - Handwritten Style Notes
8. Case 3: Perpendicular Motion
|v_AB| = sqrt(v_A^2 + v_B^2)
Use vector diagrams to visualize direction.
9. Application: Boat in River
Boat velocity in still water: v_b
River current: v_r
Boat wrt ground: v_bg = v_b + v_r
Row perpendicularly to the current for shortest path.
10. Application: Aircraft and Wind
Plane velocity wrt air: v_p
Wind velocity: v_w
Velocity wrt ground: v_pg = v_p + v_w
11. Common Mistakes
- Forgetting direction in vector subtraction
- Mixing absolute and relative velocities
- Ignoring perpendicular components
12. Relative Acceleration
a_AB = a_A - a_B
If both accelerate differently, motion becomes non-uniform in relative frame.
13. Graphical Insight
Position-Time Graph: Slope difference = relative velocity
Velocity-Time Graph: Relative velocity = vertical gap
14. Pro Tips for JEE
Relative Motion - Handwritten Style Notes
- Use relative velocity in collision, river, and rain problems
- Convert 2D to 1D when possible