eli5 if a pitcher stands on top of a train going 50mph and throws a pitch that goes 100mph. does the ball move at 150mph?

Question

eli5 if a pitcher stands on top of a train going 50mph and throws a pitch that goes 100mph. does the ball move at 150mph?

In: 1

Answer 1

In a basic world, YES.

In a slightly more complicated world with wind resistance, YES, RELATIVE TO THE GROUND, ASSUMING HE THREW IT IN THE DIRECTION THE TRAIN WAS GOING, but it immediately starts slowing down.

In a massively more complicated (but technically more accurate) world, it’s going about 149.9999999999 mph.
Due to relativity, speeds don’t sum linearly.

Feel free to ask questions if you have them.