Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 36 - Relativity - Exercises and Problems - Page 1099: 31

Answer

The bullet's speed relative to the Earth is $~~0.357~c~~$ in the opposite direction from the rocket's motion.

Work Step by Step

Let $u'$ be the bullet's velocity relative to the rocket. Let $v$ be the rocket's velocity relative to the Earth. Let $u$ be the bullet's velocity relative to the Earth. We can find $u$: $u = \frac{u'+v}{1+\frac{u'v}{c^2}}$ $u = \frac{-0.9c+0.8c}{1+\frac{(-0.9c)(0.8c)}{c^2}}$ $u = \frac{-0.1c}{1-0.72}$ $u = -0.357~c$ The bullet's speed relative to the Earth is $~~0.357~c~~$ in the opposite direction from the rocket's motion.
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