Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 7 - Think and Explain - Page 129-130: 65

Answer

You’re both correct.

Work Step by Step

Kinetic energy depends on speed, which is measured by an observer in a frame of reference. KE, like velocity, is relative. From your perspective she is moving quickly and has a lot of KE. Her seat has pushed forward on her over a long distance, explaining her gain in KE. From her perspective, she would say that the work on her is zero (because the distance is zero) and the change in her KE is zero.
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