Calculate the length of a 120m (as measured by the astronaut) spaceship travelling at 0.85c as measured by a stationary observer

The length of the spaceship of 120m was measured at rest relative to the spaceship so we will take that as the proper length, dennoted Lproper
We first calculate the Lorentz factor:
Ɣ = 1/sqrt(1-(v/c)2)
Ɣ = 1/sqrt(1-0.852)
Ɣ = 1.8986... (Keep this number in your calculator as rounding now will affect your final answer)
Now, relate this to the formula for length contraction:
L = Lproper / Ɣ
L = 120/1.8986...
L = 63.2m as measured by the stationary observer

KM

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe how the strong nuclear force between two nucleons varies with the separation of the nucleons, quoting suitable values for separation.


Two railway trucks of masses m and 3m move towards each other in opposite directions with speeds 2v and v respectively. These trucks collide and stick together. What is the speed of the trucks after the collision?


Atmospheric Pressure is about 1.0x10^5 Pa. What is the downward force of the air on a desktop of surface area 1m^2?


Show that gravitational force within a nuclei is negilible compared with the electric repulsion.