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 ▸How can an object be accelerating when it's velocity is constant, and how does centripetal acceleration work.
Explain the Doppler Shift Effect, and how it can be used to measure blood flow in the body.
If f(x)= ln(x^2)-4, give f^-1(x)
How would we calculate the distance covered by a train that starts at rest, then accelerates to 5km/hr in 30 mins then stays at this constant speed for 12 minutes?