What is the speed of the missile, relative to ship B?

In summary, two spaceships, A and B, are flying towards each other at a relative speed of 0.80c. The captain of ship B measures the length of a missile launched by ship A and finds it to be 0.872m, despite knowing that it is 2m long. They then attempt to calculate the speed of the missile using the equation for length contraction, but are unsure if they are using the correct formula.
  • #1
vachan
23
0
Two spaceships, named A and B, are flying toward each other with relative speed .80c .
The captain of ship B knows that ship A uses 2-m-long missiles. She measures the length of the first missile, once it has finished accelerating, and finds it to be only 0.872m long. What is the speed of the missile, relative to ship B?
I tried to find it by L=Lo(1/sqrt 1- v2/c2)...

BUt i don't seem to find the right answer... any help i will be happy! thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
vachan said:
I tried to find it by L=Lo(1/sqrt 1- v2/c2)...
Make sure you're using the correct equation for length contraction:

[tex]L = L_0/\gamma[/tex]

Where:

[tex]\gamma = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - v^2/c^2}}[/tex]
 
  • #3


The speed of the missile, relative to ship B, can be calculated using the formula v = (L/Lo)c, where L is the measured length of the missile and Lo is the original length of the missile. Plugging in the values given, we get v = (0.872m/2m)(0.80c) = 0.348c. This means that the missile is traveling at 0.348 times the speed of light, relative to ship B.
 

FAQ: What is the speed of the missile, relative to ship B?

What is the speed of the missile, relative to ship B?

The speed of the missile, relative to ship B, is dependent on several factors including the velocity of the missile, the velocity of ship B, and the direction of motion of both objects. The relative speed can be calculated using vector addition.

How is the speed of the missile, relative to ship B, calculated?

The speed of the missile, relative to ship B, can be calculated using the formula: relative speed = velocity of missile - velocity of ship B. This takes into account the direction of motion of both objects.

Does the speed of ship B affect the speed of the missile, relative to ship B?

Yes, the speed of ship B does affect the speed of the missile, relative to ship B. This is because the relative speed is calculated by subtracting the velocity of ship B from the velocity of the missile. If ship B is moving towards or away from the missile, it will affect the overall relative speed.

What is the difference between absolute speed and relative speed?

Absolute speed refers to the speed of an object in relation to a fixed point or reference frame. Relative speed, on the other hand, refers to the speed of an object in relation to another moving object. In the context of the missile and ship B, the absolute speed of the missile would be its speed in relation to a fixed point, while the relative speed would be its speed in relation to the moving ship B.

Can the speed of the missile, relative to ship B, be greater than the speed of light?

No, according to the theory of relativity, the speed of light is the fastest possible speed in the universe. Therefore, the speed of the missile, relative to ship B, cannot exceed the speed of light. Additionally, the speed of the missile must also follow the laws of physics and cannot exceed its own maximum speed.

Back
Top