Physics: Principles with Applications (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32162-592-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-32162-592-2

Chapter 26 - The Special Theory of Relativity - Questions - Page 766: 9

Answer

You would not perceive any changes, but an observer on earth your heartbeat would appear to slow, your mass would appear to increase, and your width would appear to become smaller.

Work Step by Step

You would not measure any changes in your own heartbeat, mass, height, or waistline. The situation described is essentially an inertial reference frame. The laws of physics are the same in all inertial reference frames, so inside the ship, everything is exactly the same as it would be on Earth (minus the gravity). However, to observers on Earth, you are in a reference frame moving away at 0.6c. The value of $\gamma$ is $\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-v^{2}/c^{2}}}=1.25$. Assume you are facing in the direction of motion. To Earth observers, your heartbeat appears slowed by a factor of $\gamma = 1.25$, your mass has increased by a factor of $\gamma = 1.25$, and your front-to-back distance has decreased by a factor of $\gamma = 1.25$, affecting your waistline. Your height is unchanged.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.