If I am on a plane travelling 500mph and I walk towards the rear at 1mph, How fast am I travelling?

Question

Ok, So If I am sat on a plane, which is travelling at 500mph, am I travelling at 500mph too? Even though theoretically I'm not moving?
Secondly, If I walk towards the front of the plane at let's say 1mph, am I travelling at 1mph, 501mph or 500mph?
Finally, If I walk towards the rear of the plane at 1mph again, am I travelling at 1mph, 499mph or still at 500mph?

Answer 1

The answer is basically one to do with what frame of reference you take. You are travelling at 500mph to someone (let's say a stationary Superman) if you are just sitting on the plane as that is its speed (to the outside Superman). In your frame of reference, you are not moving, ie when you are not moving, both your speed and plane's speed are the same.

Now when you move to the front of the plane, as far as someone outside can see (our Superman again), you are now travelling 1Mph faster than the plane, so from his frame of reference, you are moving at 501mph. Now, your frame of reference-wise, you are now moving 1mph so that is your speed in your frame of reference (you are no longer stationary).

When you move to the rear of the plane, as far as Superman from his frame of reference can see, your speed is now 499mph.
Your speed from your frame of reference is the same as when you were moving forward, ie 1mph.

Fun to think stuff like this eh?

Answer 2

Your velocity is relative to your frame of reference. It depends on whether your observer is on the ground or on the plane.
a) When you are sitting, you are travelling at 500 mph to someone on the ground but at rest to everyone on the plane.
b) When you are walking toward the front of the plane at 1mph, again your velocity to those on the plame is 1mph however, those on the ground will see you at 501 mph.
c) When walking toward the rear at 1mph, your velocity relative to the plane is -1mph (consider plane's direction as positive). Your velocity relative to the ground will be 499 mph.

Answer 3

Relative to the plane=Towards the rear at 1mph.
Relative to the earth=499 mph if walking other way then 501mph
Relative to anyone watching the plane from the earth=500mph `cos they think you are sittting down.

Answer 4

If you were to theoretically not move on this plane u'd have to travle 500mph the opposite way then if walking forward u r goin 501 and walkin 2 the back at 500 your seed doesnt change

Answer 5

It all depends on the frame of reference.If you consider the ground as your reference then you are indeed travelling at 501mph or 499mph with respect to the ground . If you choose your frame as the plane itself, then you are travelling at 1mph forwards and 1 mph backwards. If you consider forwards your positive direction then you travel forwards at +1mph and backwards -1mph.

Answer 6

It all depends on the frame of reference.
If you're walking to the front of the plane, you'de be at 501mph. If you're walking to the rear of the plane, you'd be at 499mph. Given that the planes speed is 500mph.
Though I answered this out of the stuff I know in my head, I liked the question :D I'm gonna ask my physics teacher!

Answer 7

You are travelling at 1mph relative to the plane and 499mph relative to ground (or more accurately, to the air outside the plane).

Answer 8

Good question. what would be the answer if you where to just jump up and down in the middle, how would the 500mph vary then? Would the plane shoot away from you?

Answer 9

Relative to what?

Relative to the plane itself; it doesn't matter whether you are sitting or walking around, you are not traveling at all because you are inside of it.

Relative to another passenger in the plane, 1 mph.

Relative to a point on the earth -- it depends on which way the plane is going because you need to account for the rotation of the planet. (air speed v. ground speed)

Relative to a fixed point in space, you need to account for the rotation of the planet, the planet's orbit around the sun, the sun's orbit in the galaxy and the galaxy's motion in space.

Answer 10

I would say you are moving at 1MPH.
If you have to take the speed of the plane to figure your speed then when your on the ground you would have to figure the rotation of the earth into your speed.