If a fly was to travel from the tail end of a plane travelling at 500mph to the cockpit, will it be doing the equivalent speed of 500mph plus however fast it flies?
2006-08-25 11:28:20 · 10 answers · asked by unionjackjackson 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Well in theory, yes, my son asked me the same question yesterday about a fly in my van, (of course we're not talking 500mph).
2006-08-25 11:33:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what you're comparing the fly's speed to. Relative to the plane it would be however fast a fly flies. Relative to the ground, then it would be the 500 mph plus however fast a fly flies. If you want to get really nitpicky, the Earth itself is rotating about its axis and revolving around the Sun, so you could add those speed, too. And the Sun is revolving around the center of the Galaxy, and....
2006-08-25 11:34:45 · answer #2 · answered by kris 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, just as EVERYTHING in the plane is traveling the same speed as the plane. so if the fly is moving forward, it's speed relative to a stationary object would be 500 mph plus however fast it is going. Its speed relative to the plane, though, will simply be however fast the fly is moving on its own power.
2006-08-25 11:35:09 · answer #3 · answered by cool_breeze_2444 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From the ground, yes, the fly will be flying faster than the plane.
2006-08-25 11:33:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes (relative to the ground).
No (relative to the plane).
It'll travel many thousands of miles an hour (relative to other stars/galaxies).
2006-08-25 11:32:21 · answer #5 · answered by · 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bloody refugees
2006-08-25 11:35:25 · answer #6 · answered by codge 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes
2006-08-25 11:33:23 · answer #7 · answered by mise 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get your calculator out
2006-08-28 19:25:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes of course. so v.unlikely.
2006-08-25 11:33:09 · answer #9 · answered by Dan 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No!
2006-08-25 11:31:44 · answer #10 · answered by Fluke 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋