College Physics (4th Edition)

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073512141
ISBN 13: 978-0-07351-214-3

Chapter 3 - Conceptual Questions - Page 109: 20

Answer

Both are traveling at a different rate and are opposite to one another. Marlene has touched the shiny logo on Shelly's jacket. She is observing in her own reference frame that is why she is correct. Shelly, on the other hand, is observing on her own reference frame. Thus, Marlene may be approaching Shelly, from Shelly's perspective, at a high rate of speed, and even if she merely touched her, Shelly felt as though Marlene poked her incredibly hard.

Work Step by Step

Both are correct, as they each have their own frame of reference and consequently different perspectives on what happened.
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