if a bug is flying around your car while you’re driving 60mph on the highway, is the bug flying at 60mph?

Question

if a bug is flying around your car while you’re driving 60mph on the highway, is the bug flying at 60mph?

In: 3939

Answer 1

Compared to what?

Compared to the earth? Yes it’s moving at near 60mph.

Compared to the air in the car? No it’s almost stationary.

Speed is always measured in relation to something else.

If you want to get all clever and say “oh I’m relation to everything!” Well I’ve got news for you. The car is doing 60mph on the earth, but the earth is spinning on its axis, it’s also spinning around the sun, and the sun is spinning around the center of the galaxy, and the galaxy is moving, too.