Abstract
The feeling of being in motion, while observing a moving train passing nearby is a common experience. It is an example of relative motion where a stationary observer experiences an illusory motion caused by a vehicle moving in the opposite direction. It is however counter-intuitive to imagine periodic changes in the direction of relative motion, while the vehicle continues to move in one direction only. To an observer, sitting inside the moving vehicle, periodic changes in direction can lead to the illusion of being in oscillatory forward and backward relative motion. This article, using a simple mathematical model describes how the unidirectional motion of vehicle on a sinusoidal path can lead to the illusion of being in periodic forward and backward relative motion. This work has emerged out of a real life experience during a train journey on the hilly curves from Kalka to Shimla.
Published Version
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