Question

A space ship traveling east flies directly over the head of an inertial observer who is at rest on the earth's surface. The speed of the space ship can be found from this relationship: . The navigator's on-board instruments indicate that the length of the space ship is 20 m. If the length of the ship is measured by the inertial earth-bound observer, what value will be obtained

Answer 1

10 metres

Step-by-step explanation:

So, we are given the following data or parameters or information which is going to assist us in solving this particular problem or Question efficiently.

=> The speed of the space ship can be found from this relationship: ✓(1 - [v^2/c^2] ) = 1/2.

=> The length of the space ship = 20 m.

=> Assumption = '' If the length of the ship is measured by the inertial earth-bound observer".

Thus, from the speed of the space ship can be found from this relationship we can determine the value;

✓(1 - [v^2/c^2] ) = 1/2.

V = 20 × 1/2 = 10 metres.

Note that we use the contraction formula to solve for V.