Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (4th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0133942651
ISBN 13: 978-0-13394-265-1

Chapter 36 - Relativity - Exercises and Problems - Page 1061: 49

Answer

To a stationary observer, the length of the rocket is $~~14.5~m$

Work Step by Step

We can find the velocity of the rocket: $\frac{v}{c} = \frac{\Delta \lambda}{\lambda}$ $\frac{v}{c} = \frac{520~nm-700~nm}{700~nm}$ $\frac{v}{c} = -0.257$ $v = -0.257~c$ The speed of the rocket is $0.257~c$ We can find $\gamma$: $\gamma = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}$ $\gamma = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-\frac{(0.257~c)^2}{c^2}}}$ $\gamma = \frac{1}{\sqrt{0.933951}}$ $\gamma = 1.035$ We can find the length of the rocket to a stationary observer: $L = \frac{L_0}{\gamma}$ $L = \frac{15~m}{1.035}$ $L = 14.5~m$ To a stationary observer, the length of the rocket is $~~14.5~m$
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