Why does stopping a vehicle you’re in cause you to jerk forward, even though motion is supposed to be relative (and the vehicle isn’t moving from your “physics” perspective)?
In: Physics
Velocity is relative, acceleration isn’t.
So, looking at this situation from the perspective of someone on the ground, you and the car are both moving forward at the same velocity, until the car suddenly starts braking. You, having momentum, continue moving forward until friction or another force changes your velocity to match the car’s new velocity.
Looking at the situation from your perspective inside the car, you and the car are both stationary, the rest of the world moving around you. When the car starts braking, it starts moving backwards. You, having momentum, continue to be stationary until friction or another force changes your velocity to match the car’s new velocity.
Latest Answers