University Physics with Modern Physics (14th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321973615
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-361-0

Chapter 37 - Relativity - Problems - Exercises - Page 1248: 37.14

Answer

See explanation.

Work Step by Step

The astronaut lies along the direction of the rocket’s motion, so his height is Lorentz-contracted. a. The doctor in the rocket measures the proper length of 2.0 m. The value of $\gamma$ is $\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-u^{2}/c^{2}}}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-0.910^2}}=2.412$. The person on earth measures a height of $\frac{2.00m}{\gamma}= 0.829 m$. b. If the contracted height had been 2.00 m, the doctor on board would have measured $(2.00m)\gamma=4.82m$. This is not reasonable. c. 2.00m for both. There is no length contraction in a direction perpendicular to the motion.
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