To an Earth observer, metersticks on three spaceships are seen to have these lengths. Rank the speeds of the spaceships relative to Earth from highest to lowest.
To rank:The speed of the given spaceships relative to Earth from highest to lowest.
Answer to Problem 22A
Explanation of Solution
Introduction:
Einstein’s special theory of relativity says that, the length of an object moving with a relativistic speed appear to be contracted along the direction of its motion. According to this, the observer at rest would perceive the length of an object to be shorter than the actual length of that object. The amount of contraction in length of an object moving with relativistic speed entirely depends on the speed of an object relative to an observer as shown in the expression,
Where,
The expression for length contraction (equation 1) clearly indicates that the object moving with large velocity appear to be smaller than that of moving with small velocity.
Consider the given diagram.
The meterstick in the spaceship C appear to be smallest compared to that in spaceships A and B. This shows that the spaceship C moves with largest velocity. Hence the given spaceships can be ranked according to their speed relative to Earth from highest to lowest as
Conclusion:
The speeds of the given spaceships relative to Earth from highest to lowest is ranked as
Chapter 16 Solutions
Conceptual Physics: The High School Physics Program
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
University Physics with Modern Physics (14th Edition)
The Cosmic Perspective
Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals
An Introduction to Thermal Physics
College Physics
University Physics Volume 2
- College PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781305952300Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris VuillePublisher:Cengage LearningUniversity Physics (14th Edition)PhysicsISBN:9780133969290Author:Hugh D. Young, Roger A. FreedmanPublisher:PEARSONIntroduction To Quantum MechanicsPhysicsISBN:9781107189638Author:Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.Publisher:Cambridge University Press
- Physics for Scientists and EngineersPhysicsISBN:9781337553278Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningLecture- Tutorials for Introductory AstronomyPhysicsISBN:9780321820464Author:Edward E. Prather, Tim P. Slater, Jeff P. Adams, Gina BrissendenPublisher:Addison-WesleyCollege Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio...PhysicsISBN:9780134609034Author:Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus), Brian Jones, Stuart FieldPublisher:PEARSON