Relative Motion - Detailed Notes (JEE Level)
1. Concept of Relative Motion
Relative motion refers to the motion of an object as observed from another moving object. It's crucial in JEE
because many problems involve observing motion from a non-inertial or moving frame (e.g. river problems,
rain man, trains).
Key Point: There is **no absolute motion**; motion is always relative.
2. Frame of Reference
A Frame of Reference (FOR) is a coordinate system in which the position, velocity, and acceleration of an
object are measured.
- Inertial Frame: Not accelerating (e.g., ground)
- Non-inertial Frame: Accelerating (e.g., a car turning)
JEE usually assumes Earth is an inertial frame for simplicity.
3. Velocity of A w.r.t. B
Given: A has velocity v_A, B has velocity v_B
Then velocity of A relative to B:
v_AB = v_A - v_B
If v_AB = 0, then A appears stationary to B. This is often used in **collision** and **meeting point** problems.
4. Position and Acceleration
Position Vector:
r_AB = r_A - r_B
Acceleration Vector:
a_AB = a_A - a_B
Relative Motion - Detailed Notes (JEE Level)
These are vector subtractions and must consider directions carefully.
5. Visual Interpretation
- Use vector diagrams to draw v_A and v_B.
- Draw triangle for relative velocity.
- In graphical method, the **tail of v_B** joins **tail of v_A**, and v_AB is from **head of B to head of A**.
6. Case Studies
Case 1: Same Direction
v_AB = v_A - v_B
Case 2: Opposite Direction
v_AB = v_A + v_B
Case 3: Perpendicular
v_AB = sqrt(v_A^2 + v_B^2)
Use trigonometry or Pythagoras based on angles provided.
7. River Boat Problems (HC Verma & Irodov)
Boat velocity in still water: v_b
River stream: v_r
Case A: Shortest Time - Row directly across
Net speed = sqrt(v_b^2 - v_r^2)
Case B: Shortest Path - Row at angle to cancel river
Time = width / v_b (only vertical component)
Use triangle of velocities to find angles.
8. Rain Man Problems (from DC Pandey)
Relative Motion - Detailed Notes (JEE Level)
If rain is falling vertically with speed v_r and man is moving with speed v_m:
To feel rain vertical:
v_rain_relative = v_r - v_m
Use vector subtraction when rain is at an angle. Use tan() = v_horizontal / v_vertical to find angle of rain as
seen by man.
9. Aircraft and Wind (Concept from Resnick Halliday)
Plane velocity wrt air: v_p
Wind velocity: v_w
Resultant velocity (wrt ground):
v_pg = v_p + v_w
To go straight, adjust heading:
Use sine/cosine rule for triangle of velocities.
10. Relative Acceleration
a_AB = a_A - a_B
If objects are in uniformly accelerated motion, this gives the relative acceleration.
Important in elevator and rocket problems.
11. Graphical Analysis
From Position-Time graph:
Slope difference = v_AB
From Velocity-Time graph:
Vertical difference = v_AB
Useful in motion matching questions.
Relative Motion - Detailed Notes (JEE Level)
12. PYQ Trick - Train Crossing
Two trains moving in opposite direction:
Relative Speed = v1 + v2
Time to cross = Length_total / Relative Speed
Used in 2020 & 2023 JEE questions.
13. Conceptual Errors to Avoid
- Confusing relative and absolute motion
- Not considering direction (sign errors)
- Applying scalar subtraction instead of vector
- Assuming relative velocity is symmetric (v_AB v_BA)
14. Summary Tips
- Always define FOR clearly
- Use diagrams - triangle of velocities
- Convert to relative frame to reduce complexity
- Practice rain-man and boat-river types
- Remember: relative motion simplifies multi-body motion problems