Question

a star with a diameter of 600,000 km shoots through space with a velocity of 0.80 c at a right angle to an observer. the star looks like a big oval. what is the short diameter of this oval?express your answer with the appropriate units.

Answer 1

The observed short diameter of a star moving at 0.80c at a right angle to an observer is not affected by Lorentz contraction and remains at 600,000 km.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question involves a concept from special relativity known as Lorentz contraction, which occurs to objects moving at speeds approaching the speed of light (c) as observed from a stationary reference frame. According to this phenomenon, lengths perpendicular to the direction of motion are unaffected, while lengths parallel to the direction of motion appear shorter to the stationary observer. Since the star is moving at a right angle (perpendicular) to the observer with a velocity of 0.80c, and considering that the length contraction only affects dimensions parallel to the motion, the observed short diameter (which is perpendicular) would not be contracted and therefore remains at 600,000 km.