In the inertial frame of a deep-space station

PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Relativity & Gravitation · Special relativity: spacetime and kinematics · Special relativity: spacetime and kinematics

Relativity and Gravitation, Ch The postulates and the Lorentz transformation

Problem

In the inertial frame

S

of a deep-space station, craft

A

moves at

0.600c

in the

+x

direction and craft

B

moves at

0.700c

in the

-x

direction, so the two approach head on along the

x

axis. The rest frame

S'

of craft

A

is in standard configuration with

S

v = 0.600c

. Take

c = 2.998\times10^8\ \mathrm{m\,s^{-1}}

. ((a)) Craft

B

sends a radio pulse towards

A

. Predict the speed of that pulse as measured by the crew of

A

, and give the number in

\mathrm{m\,s^{-1}}

. ((b)) Predict whether the crew of

A

measures craft

B

approaching at more or less than

1.300c

, then compute the speed of

B

in frame

S'

, in

\mathrm{m\,s^{-1}}

Browse the problem library