Question

Tom and Jerry are running forward at the same speed. They are following a rubber ball at a constant speed v as seen by the thrower. According to Sam, who’s standing on the ground, the speed of the ball is ____________

(a) Same as v

(b) Greater than v

(c) Less than v

(d) Zero

This question was posed to me by my college director while I was bunking the class.

My doubt stems from Acceleration due to Gravity topic in chapter Laws of Motion of Engineering Physics I

Answer 1

Correct answer is (b) Greater than v

Explanation: As they are moving in the same direction, the relative velocity of the ball with respect to Tom or Jerry will be

vB=v+v(Tom or Jerry)

For Sam, the speed of the ball will be greater than v.