A bolt drops from the ceiling of a moving train car that is accelerating northward at a rate of 2.50m/s^2. (a) What is the acceleration of the bolt in relation to the train car? (b) What is the acceleration of the bolt relative to the Earth? (c) Describe the trajectory of the bolt as seen by an observer fixed on the Earth.

Question

ujjwal · Answer

The acceleration of the bolt in relation to train car is equal to g i.e. 9.8 m/s^2 downwards.
The acceleration of bolt relative to earth is the resultant of g (9.8 m/s^2 downwards) and 2.5 m/s^2 northward.

An observer fixed on earth will see the bolt exhibit a parabolic motion since the bolt will have certain horizontal velocity initially due to motion of train..

To be precise the observer fixed on earth will see the bolt exhibit elliptical motion, but you won't find 'elliptical' in your book if you still go to a high school. So, your answer is parabolic for the time being..