Length Contraction and a Relativistic Angle

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the angle of a ladder leaning against a wall inside a spaceship moving at 0.919c, as observed from Earth. The proper length (L0) of the ladder is given as 4.92 m, but the user struggles with applying the length contraction formula correctly. They realize that L0 should represent the distance from the wall to the base of the ladder, not the hypotenuse. The user is confused about the relationship between the lengths observed in different frames of reference and how to apply the inverse tangent function to find the angle. Clarifying these concepts is essential for correctly solving the problem.
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Homework Statement


A ladder 4.92 m long leans against a wall inside a spaceship. From the point of view of a person on the ship, the base of the ladder is 3.13 m from the wall, and the top of the ladder is 4.00 m above the floor. The spaceship moves past the Earth with a speed of 0.919c in a direction parallel to the floor of the ship. Calculate the angle the ladder makes with the floor, as seen by an observer on Earth.



Homework Equations


L=L0*sqrt(1-(v^2/c^2))

inverse tan= height above floor/L0 to find angle


The Attempt at a Solution


I don't know what I'm doing wrong here. I use L=L0*sqrt(1-
v^2/c^2) and find LO (the proper length). Then I use
inverse tan= height above floor/L0 to get the angle. But it
isn't right. First off, my L0 is longer than that
hypotenuse of the triangle, so that's just wrong...
What am I doing wrong here?
 
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L0 is the distance as measured in the spaceship (given)
L is the distance as observed from earth.
 
I see. Lo will be the distance from the wall to the base of the ladder.
 
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