- #1
Barry Melby
- 31
- 0
Homework Statement
Consider a searchlight on the ground that casts a spot on a cloud 1500 m overhead. If the searchlight is rotated rapidly−say, 40 ∘ in 1 μs−how fast does the spot move in the Earth reference frame when the searchlight is directed vertically upward?
I have solved this part and found the velocity to by 3.5c.
Is this a violation of special relativity?
1. No, this is not a violation of the special relativity, light spot is not a physical object and can move with any speed.
2. Yes, this is a violation of the special relativity, the searchlight cannot really rotate this fast, data given in the problem statement is incorrect.
3. Yes, this is a violation of the special relativity, this situation should be studied using general relativity.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
I think it is a violation, but I'm not sure exactly the reasoning behind it. My educated guess would be number 2 is the correct answer.