The problem involves calculating the velocity of a spaceship using the length contraction formula from relativity theory. The original poster measures the spaceship's length as 300 m, while an astronaut on the ship measures it as 445 m.
Participants are actively discussing the proper application of the length contraction formula, clarifying the definitions of proper length and the lengths measured by different observers. There is a recognition of the need to switch the values assigned to the lengths based on the observers' frames of reference.
There is an ongoing discussion about the definitions of proper length and the lengths observed by different observers, which may lead to confusion in the application of the formula. The original poster's calculations are constrained by these definitions and their understanding of the scenario.
Pi-Bond said:In your formula L (on the right hand side) is the proper length. Are you sure you have substituted the proper length correctly?
I guess that means i am, so i switch 300 and 445?Pi-Bond said:But the astronaut is at rest relative to the spaceship. Who is the one measuring the moving spaceship?
Pi-Bond said:Yes. The right hand side of your equation deals with proper length, or the length measured by an observer in the rest frame of the object. (Astronaut in this case) The left side deals with what an observer in relative motion will measure as the length. (you in this case)