Life in the Universe (4th Edition)
4th Edition
ISBN: 9780134089089
Author: Jeffrey O. Bennett, Seth Shostak
Publisher: PEARSON
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Chapter 13, Problem 18RQ
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Explain the reason that no one can travel faster than the speed of light.
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The special theory of relativity has what effect on measurements done today? (a) None whatsoever, because any correction would be negligible. (b) We need to consider the effects of relativity when objects move close to the speed of light. (c) We should always make a correction for relativity because Newton’s laws are basically wrong. (d) It doesn’t matter, because we can’t make measurements where relativity would matter.
A light-year is the distance that light can travel in one year. Similarly, we can define a light-second, light-day, etc. as the distance that light can travel in other time intervals. Calculate the distance represented by each of the following: (Assume that the speed of light is 3 × 108 m/s).
1. 4 light-seconds
2. 3 light-minutes
3. 2 light-days
4. 2 light-days, but this time answer in miles (enter just the number with no units)
In the context of relativity, what is an "event"? Give a specific example of an event and provide the coordinates necessary to specify the event.
Chapter 13 Solutions
Life in the Universe (4th Edition)
Ch. 13 - Prob. 1RQCh. 13 - How does the speed of light affect the possibility...Ch. 13 - Prob. 3RQCh. 13 - Prob. 4RQCh. 13 - What is the rocket equation used for? Based on the...Ch. 13 - Prob. 6RQCh. 13 - Discuss a few ways of reaching the stars (other...Ch. 13 - How would time dilation affect space travel at...Ch. 13 - Prob. 9RQCh. 13 - What is the Fermi paradox? What two seemingly...
Ch. 13 - Why does it seem that other civilizations, if they...Ch. 13 - What arc Von Neumann machines? How do they affect...Ch. 13 - Describe the coral model of galactic colonization....Ch. 13 - Briefly discuss possible motives for galactic...Ch. 13 - Summarize the three general categories of possible...Ch. 13 - Briefly discuss the profound implications of the...Ch. 13 - What known problems were solved when Einstein...Ch. 13 - Prob. 18RQCh. 13 - Besides the idea that you cannot reach the speed...Ch. 13 - Prob. 20RQCh. 13 - Prob. 21TYUCh. 13 - Prob. 22TYUCh. 13 - Each of the following describes some futuristic...Ch. 13 - Prob. 24TYUCh. 13 - Prob. 25TYUCh. 13 - Prob. 26TYUCh. 13 - Prob. 27TYUCh. 13 - Prob. 28TYUCh. 13 - Prob. 29TYUCh. 13 - Prob. 30TYUCh. 13 - Prob. 31TYUCh. 13 - The amount of energy that would be needed to...Ch. 13 - The rocket engines of our current spacecraft are...Ch. 13 - Suppose that a spaceship was launched in the year...Ch. 13 - Prob. 35TYUCh. 13 - Prob. 36TYUCh. 13 - Which of the following questions best represents...Ch. 13 - Prob. 38TYUCh. 13 - Which of the following is not relative in the...Ch. 13 - Prob. 40TYUCh. 13 - Prob. 41POSCh. 13 - Prob. 42POSCh. 13 - Prob. 44IFCh. 13 - What's Wrong with This Picture? Many science...Ch. 13 - Large Rockets. Suppose we built a rocket that...Ch. 13 - Prob. 47IFCh. 13 - Solution to the Fermi Paradox. Among the various...Ch. 13 - Prob. 50IFCh. 13 - Cruise Ship Energy. Suppose we have a spaceship...Ch. 13 - Prob. 52IFCh. 13 - The Multistage Rocket Equation. The rocket...Ch. 13 - Relativistic Time Dilation. Use the time dilation...Ch. 13 - Testing Relativity. A + meson produced at rest has...Ch. 13 - Prob. 57IFCh. 13 - Prob. 58IFCh. 13 - Prob. 59IFCh. 13 - Prob. 60IFCh. 13 - The Turning Point. Discuss the idea that the...
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- With regard to reference frames, how does general relativity differ from special relativity?arrow_forwardIt is said that Einstein, in his teenage years, asked the question, What would I see in a mirror if I carried it in my hands and ran at the speed of light? How would you answer this question?arrow_forwardThe meter was redefined as a reference to Earth, then to krypton, and finally to the speed of light. Why do you think the reference point for a meter continued to change?arrow_forward
- You are driving on a freeway at a relativistic speed. Straight ahead of you, a technician standing on the ground turns on a searchlight and a beam of light moves exactly vertically upward, as seen by the technician. As you observe the beam of light, you measure the magnitude of the vertical component of its velocity as (a) equal to c, (b) greater than c, or (c) less than c. If the technician aims the searchlight directly at you instead of upward, you measure the magnitude of the horizontal component of its velocity as (d) equal to c, (e) greater than c, or (f) less than c.arrow_forwardWhich of Einstein’s postulates of special relativity includes a concept that does not ?t with the ideas of classical physics? Explain.arrow_forwardWe know that the velocity of an object with mass has an upper limit of c. Is there an upper limit on its momentum? Its energy? Explain.arrow_forward
- If general relativity offers the best description of what happens in the presence of gravity, why do physicists still make use of Newton’s equations in describing gravitational forces on Earth (when building a bridge, for example)?arrow_forwardConsider the relativistic form of Newtons second law. Show that when F is parallel to v, F=m(1v2c2)3/2dvdt where m is the mass of an object and v is its speed.arrow_forwardIf you use an Earth based telescope to project a laser beam onto the moon, you can move the spot across the moon's surface at a velocity greater than the speed of light Does this violate modern relativity? (Note that light is being sent from the Earth to the moon, not across the surface of the moon.)arrow_forward
- Asap pleasearrow_forwardA ship moves at a constant speed between Earth and Alpha Centauri, 4.2 light years away. According to the ship's passengers, the journey lasts 3 years. What is the speed of the ship?arrow_forwardDoes special relativity allow anything to travel faster than light? Explain.arrow_forward
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