Question

Two satellites are approaching the Earth from opposite directions. According to an observer on the Earth, satellite A is moving at a speed of 0.648c and satellite B at a speed of 0.795c. What is the speed of satellite A as observed from satellite B

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Satellite A and satellite B are approaching the earth from opposite directions , that means they are approaching each other . The velocity of satellite A and B are .648c and .795c respectively . Their velocities are comparable to velocity of light so they will follow relativistic laws .

Their relative velocity will be given by the following relation .

`V_r=(u+v)/(1+(uv)/(c^2) ) }`

where u and v are velocities of vehicles coming from opposite direction and c is velocity of light .

`V_r=(.795c+.648c)/(1+(.648c* .795c)/(c^2) ) }`

`V_r=(1.443c)/(1+.515 ) }`

= .952c