Relative velocity in one dimension

$$\begin{array}{l}\Rightarrow v_C=v_B+v_{CB}\\ \Rightarrow v_{CB}=v_C-v_B\end{array}$$

This is an important relation. This is the working relation for relative motion in one dimension. We shall be using this form of equation most of the time, while working with problems in relative motion. This equation can be used effectively to determine relative velocity of two moving objects with uniform velocities (C and B), when their velocities in Earth’s reference are known. Let us work out an exercise, using new notation and see the ease of working.

Order of subscript

There is slight possibility of misunderstanding or confusion as a result of the order of subscript in the equation. However, if we observe the subscript in the equation, it is easy to formulate a rule as far as writing subscript in the equation for relative motion is concerned. For any two subscripts say “A” and “B”, the relative velocity of “A” (first subscript) with respect to “B” (second subscript) is equal to velocity of “A” (first subscript) subtracted by the velocity of “B” (second subscript) :

$$\begin{array}{l}{v}_{AB}=v_A-v_B\end{array}$$

and the relative velocity of B (first subscript) with respect to A (second subscript) is equal to velocity of B (first subscript) subtracted by the velocity of A (second subscript):

$$\begin{array}{l}{v}_{BA}=v_B-v_A\end{array}$$

Evaluating relative velocity by making reference object stationary

An inspection of the equation of relative velocity points to an interesting feature of the equation. We need to emphasize that the equation of relative velocity is essentially a vector equation. In one dimensional motion, we have taken the liberty to write them as scalar equation :

$$\begin{array}{l}{v}_{BA}=v_B-v_A\end{array}$$

Now, the equation comprises of two vector quantities ( $v_B$ and $-v_A$ ) on the right hand side of the equation. The vector “ $-v_A$ ” is actually the negative vector i.e. a vector equal in magnitude, but opposite in direction to “ $v_A$ ”. Thus, we can evaluate relative velocity as following :

• Apply velocity of the reference object (say object "A") to both objects and render the reference object at rest.
• The resultant velocity of the other object ("B") is equal to relative velocity of "B" with respect to "A".

This concept of rendering the reference object stationary is explained in the figure below. In order to determine relative velocity of car "B" with reference to car "A", we apply velocity vector of car "A" to both cars. The relative velocity of car "B" with respect to car "A" is equal to the resultant velocity of car "B".