How Fast is the Missile Relative to the Rocket?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on a physics problem involving a rocket traveling at 0.8c that fires a missile at 0.6c towards a planet 2 light years away. The main questions are how long it takes for the missile to reach the planet and the relative speed of the missile to the rocket. The initial responses confirm the approach and solution are correct. The calculations involve understanding relativistic speeds and distances. The thread concludes with affirmation of the user's solution.
henrco
Messages
46
Reaction score
2
Hi,
Could i please get advice on this problem and confirm that my approach and solution are correct?
Thanks in advance.

1. Homework Statement
An enemy space rocket traveling at speed 0.8c towards the planet Zog fires a missile in the direction parallel to its own path. Relative to the rocket, the missile travels at v = 0.6c.

a)How long will the missile take to reach Zog if it is 2 light years distant (in the rest frame of the planet) at the
time of firing?

b) Find the relative speed of the missile to the rocket:

Homework Equations


upload_2016-3-17_14-35-1.png


The Attempt at a Solution



upload_2016-3-17_14-36-44.png
[/B]
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Looks good to me.
 
  • Like
Likes henrco
Excellent, thank you.
 
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanged mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanged mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Special Relativity -- two ships moving in one dimension
Replies
10
Views
3K
Special Relativity of rocket relative to you
Replies
3
Views
2K
Pytels Dynamics 12.8: Missile dynamics, acceleration and escape velocity
Replies
6
Views
2K
Relativity With velocity of objects moving in different fram
Replies
1
Views
1K
How to calculate velocity of infinite-stage rocket?
Replies
2
Views
1K
What is the speed of the rocket relative to the Earth?
Replies
2
Views
1K
Galilean Transformations Problem: Two moving Rockets+Missile
Replies
2
Views
2K
How Does the Relativistic Rocket Equation Describe Velocity?
Replies
2
Views
2K
Special relativity question with lots of frames
Replies
5
Views
1K
How Do You Solve Relativity Problems with Perpendicular Velocities?
Replies
13
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top