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: 56

Answer

The speed of the rocket relative to the earth is $~~0.345~c~~$ opposite to the direction of the projectile.

Work Step by Step

Let $u'$ be projectile's velocity relative to the earth reference frame. Let $v$ be the rocket's velocity relative to the projectile. Let $u$ be rocket's velocity relative to the earth. We can find $u$: $u = \frac{u'+v}{1+\frac{u'v}{c^2}}$ $u = \frac{0.90c-0.95c}{1+\frac{(0.90c)(-0.95c)}{c^2}}$ $u = \frac{-0.05c}{1-0.855}$ $u = -0.345~c$ The speed of the rocket relative to the earth is $~~0.345~c~~$ opposite to the direction of the projectile.
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