Relativity - Length Contraction

AI Thread Summary
A spaceship traveling at 0.75c is measured to be 0.30 km long by observers on a space station. The relevant equation for length contraction is d = d0/γ, where d0 is the proper length and γ is the Lorentz factor. The calculated proper length of the ship is approximately 453.557 meters. The discussion confirms that the observed length is indeed contracted due to relativistic effects. Overall, the calculations and understanding of length contraction in relativity are affirmed.
pat666
Messages
703
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A spaceship flies past a space station at 0.75c. Observers on the station measure the length of the ship to be 0.30 km. If the ship later docks alongside the station and its length is measured, what would this measured value be?


Homework Equations



d=d0/\gamma

The Attempt at a Solution


d0=300/\sqrt{1-.75<sup>2</sup>}
d=453.557m

I think this should be right but I need someone to check for me because relativity confuses the s*** out of me..
Thanks for any help.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Looks good to me. The observed length is the proper length contracted by gamma.
 
Thanks for looking Doc!
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
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 hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging 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

Confused by Lorentz transformation equation
Replies
36
Views
3K
Special relativity (length contraction, velocity composition) problem
Replies
2
Views
1K
Relativistic mass/length contraction problem
Replies
3
Views
2K
Simple Special Relativity Problem of Length Contraction
Replies
1
Views
2K
Time dilation and length contraction for a rocket
Replies
12
Views
3K
Special Relativity spaceship problem
Replies
1
Views
2K
Special Relativity - Length Contraction
Replies
1
Views
2K
Relativity With velocity of objects moving in different fram
Replies
1
Views
1K
Length Contraction/Relativistic mass question
Replies
2
Views
1K
Launch service between two stations along a flowing river
Replies
21
Views
972

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top