Question

Two students are observing a moving train as it travels past a train station. One student is riding inside the train, while the other is standing on the platform. The student inside the train feels like they are moving steadily forward without any change. The student on the platform observes that the train seems to speed up as it passes by.



Use the drop-down menus to describe how the forces acting on the train appear to each student.



To the student inside the train, the forces appear Select the correct option
because the train is Select the correct option
. To the student standing on the platform, the forces appear Select the correct option
because the train’s motion Select the correct option
.

Answer 1

To the student inside the train, the forces appear balanced because the train is moving at a constant velocity. To the student standing on the platform, the forces appear unbalanced (a net forward force) because the train’s motion is accelerating (speeding up).