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Relativity - Problems Qs Organized

The document presents a series of relativity problems involving various scenarios in different frames of reference, including calculations of coordinates, time dilation, and length contraction. It covers topics such as the effects of relative velocity on time and space measurements, as well as the behavior of particles moving at relativistic speeds. Each problem requires the application of principles from Einstein's theory of relativity to find solutions.

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18 views6 pages

Relativity - Problems Qs Organized

The document presents a series of relativity problems involving various scenarios in different frames of reference, including calculations of coordinates, time dilation, and length contraction. It covers topics such as the effects of relative velocity on time and space measurements, as well as the behavior of particles moving at relativistic speeds. Each problem requires the application of principles from Einstein's theory of relativity to find solutions.

Uploaded by

lelalolyos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Relativity Problems

1. In frame S, an event E has coordinates (x = 600 m, t = 2.0 μs). Frame S' is moving at speed
0.75c in the positive direction. Determine the coordinates of E in S'.

2. An event E has coordinates (x' = 520 m, t' = 4.0 μs) in a frame S' that moves with velocity
0.60c relative to frame S. Determine the coordinates of E in S.

3. Frame S' moves with velocity 0.98c relative to S. An explosion occurs at the origin of
frame S' when the clocks in S' read 6.0 μs. Calculate where and when the explosion takes
place according to frame S.

4. Frame S' moves with velocity 0.60c relative to S. Calculate the reading of the clocks in
frame S' as the origin of S' passes point x = 120 m.
5. Two events in frame S are such that Δx = x2 - x1 = 1200 m and Δt = t2 - t1 = 6.00 μs.

a) Frame S' moves with velocity 0.60c relative to S. Calculate Δx' = x2' - x1' and Δt' = t2' - t1'.

6. A rocket moving at 0.80c leaves Earth towards a planet that is a distance of 24 ly from
Earth as measured in the Earth's frame. By considering the events E1 = rocket leaves Earth
and E2 = rocket arrives at the planet, calculate the time it takes to get to the planet
according to the rocket.

Note: 1 ly (light year) is the distance traveled by light in one year, 1 ly = c · year.
7. A muon travelling at 0.95c covers a distance of 2.00 km (as measured by an earthbound
observer) before decaying.

a) Calculate the muon's lifetime as measured by the earthbound observer.

b) Calculate the lifetime as measured by an observer travelling along with the muon.

7. The lifetime of the unstable pion particle is measured to be 2.6 × 10⁻⁸ s (when at rest).
This particle travels a distance of 20 m in the laboratory just before decaying. Calculate its
speed.

8. In frame S, two light signals are emitted from the same point in space 2.0 μs apart. In
frame S', the time between the emissions is measured to be 8.0 μs.

a) What is the speed of S' relative to S?


b) How far apart are the emission points according to S'?
9. A rocket approaches a space station. The rocket moves with velocity 0.80c relative to the
space station. Two lights at the ends of the space station turn on at the same time according
to space station observers. Which light turns on first according to rocket observers?

10. Two simultaneous events in frame S are separated by a distance Δx = x₂ - x₁ = 1200 m.


Determine the time separating these two events in frame S', stating which one occurs first.
S' moves past S with velocity 0.80c.
11. An earthling sits on a bench in a park eating a sandwich. It takes him 5 min to finish it
according to his watch. He is being monitored by planet Zenga invaders who are passing
Earth at a speed of 0.90c.

a) Calculate how long the aliens reckon it takes an earthling to eat a sandwich.

b) The aliens in the spacecraft get hungry and start eating their sandwiches. It takes a
Zengan 5 min to eat her sandwich according to Zengan clocks. They are actually being
observed by Earthlings as they fly over Earth. Calculate how long it takes a Zengan to eat a
sandwich according to Earth clocks.

12. A cube has density ρ when the density is measured at rest. Suggest what happens to the
density of the cube when it travels past you at a relativistic speed.

13. A pendulum in a fast train is found by observers on the train to have a period of 1.0 s.
Calculate the period observers on a station platform would measure as the train moves past
them at a speed of 0.95c.
14. A spacecraft moves past you at a speed of 0.95c, and you measure its length to be 100 m.
Calculate the length you would measure if it were at rest with respect to you.

15. Two identical fast trains move parallel to each other. An observer on train A tells an
observer on train B that by her measurements (i.e., A's), train A is 30 m long and train B is
28 m long.

The observer on train B takes measurements. Calculate what he will find for:
a) The speed of train A with respect to train B.
b) The length of train A.
c) The length of train B.

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