Solving Velocity Addition Formula: 0.75c+0.75c = 0.96c

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SUMMARY

The velocity addition formula demonstrates that when two objects approach each other at 0.75c, their combined velocity is calculated as 0.96c using the relativistic formula: (0.75c + 0.75c) / (1 + (0.75c * 0.75c) / c²). This calculation reveals that observers aboard each vehicle would measure the speed of the other vehicle as 0.96c, illustrating the non-intuitive nature of relativistic speeds. This topic is essential for understanding relativistic physics and the behavior of objects moving at significant fractions of the speed of light.

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  • Understanding of special relativity concepts
  • Familiarity with the speed of light (c)
  • Basic algebra for manipulating equations
  • Knowledge of relativistic velocity addition formulas
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  • Explore the implications of special relativity on time dilation and length contraction
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Students of physics, educators teaching special relativity, and anyone interested in the principles of high-speed motion and its effects on measurements of time and distance.

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a while back I was asking about this, I can't find the thread but I figured I would post this here just incase someone like me can find it searching through google.

You have to use these special velocity addition formulas.
like this:
http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/267/screenshot20091206at124.png
then you find out the 0.75c+0.75c = 0.96c
(0.75c+0.75c)/(1+(0.75c*0.75c)/c^2)=

c(1.5)/(1+0.3249)=0.96 c
 
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So if one object is approaching me at the speed of 0.75c, and another object is approaching me at the same 0.75c but in direction opposite of the first one, the velocity with which they're closing up on each other is 0.96c?

I know this has been asked a million times, but I've never paid much attention.
 


.96c is what observers aboard each vehicle would measure as the speed of the other vehicle
 

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