Concept explainers
You are standing on a train platform watching a high-speed train pass by. A light inside one of the train cars is turned on and then a little later it is turned off. (a) Who can measure the proper time interval for the duration of the light: you or a passenger on the train? (b) Who can measure the proper length of the train car: you or a passenger on the train? (c) Who can measure the proper length of a sign attached to a post on the train platform: you or a passenger on the train? In each case explain your answer.
(a)
Whether passenger on train or observer in platform measures Proper time
Explanation of Solution
The relative velocity between passenger and train is zero, time measured by passenger in train is the proper time.
Conclusion: The time measured from frame where the relative velocity between two events is zero is called the proper time. Proper time is measured from frame where there is no relative motion between events.
(b)
Passenger on train or observer in platform measures the proper length.
Explanation of Solution
The Proper length is the length measured by observer at rest in his own frame. The relative velocity between passenger and train is zero, time measured by passenger in train is the proper time Since the passenger in train is at rest in his own frame, he can measure proper length of train Since the sign is attached to ground ,relative velocity between observer in platform and ground is zero, he measures the proper length of sign.
Conclusion: Proper length is measured from frame where there is no relativity between events.
(c)
Whether observer on platform or passenger on train measures proper length of sign post attached to ground.
Explanation of Solution
The time measured from frame where the relative velocity between two events is zero is called the proper time. The relative velocity between observer on platform and sign post is zero, time measured by observer on platform is the proper time.
Conclusion: Proper length is measured from frame where there is no relative motion between events.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 37 Solutions
University Physics with Modern Physics (14th Edition)
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Chemistry: The Central Science (14th Edition)
Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology (5th Edition)
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
Biology: Life on Earth (11th Edition)
Campbell Biology: Concepts & Connections (9th Edition)
Campbell Biology (11th Edition)
- Suppose our Sun is about to explode. In an effort to escape, we depart in a spaceship at v = 0.80c and head toward the star Tau Ceti, 12 lightyears away. When we reach the midpoint of our journey from the Earth, we see our Sun explode and, unfortunately, at the same instant we see Tau Ceti explode as well. (a) In the spaceship’s frame of reference, should we conclude that the two explosions occurred simultaneously? If not, which occurred first? (b) In a frame of reference in which the Sun and Tau Ceti are at rest, did they explode simultaneously? If not, which exploded first?arrow_forwardA spacecraft moves at a speed of 0.900c. If its length is L as measured by an observer on the spacecraft, what is the length measured by a ground observer?arrow_forwardSpacecraft I, containing students taking a physics exam, approaches the Earth with a speed of 0.600c (relative to the Earth), while spacecraft II, containing professors proctoring the exam, moves at 0.280c (relative to the Earth) directly toward the students. If the professors stop the exam after 50.0 min have passed on their clock, for what time interval does the exam last as measured by (a) the students and (b) an observer on the Earth?arrow_forward
- Owen and Dina are at rest in frame S, which is moving at 0.600c with respect to frame S. They play a game of catch while Ed, at rest in frame S, watches the action (Fig. P9.63). Owen throws the ball to Dina at 0.800c (according to Owen), and their separation (measured in S) is equal to 1.80 1012 m. (a) According to Dina, how fast is the ball moving? (b) According to Dina, what time interval is required for the ball to reach her? According to Ed, (c) how far apart are Owen and Dina, (d) how fast is the ball moving, and (e) what time interval is required for the ball to reach Dina? Figure P9.63arrow_forwardTwo powerless rockets are on a collision course. The rockets are moving with speeds of 0.800c and 0.600c and are initially 2.52 × 1012 m apart as measured by Liz, an Earth observer, as shown in Figure P1.34. Both rockets are 50.0 m in length as measured by Liz. (a) What are their respective proper lengths? (b) What is the length of each rocket as measured by an observer in the other rocket? (c) According to Liz, how long before the rockets collide? (d) According to rocket 1, how long before they collide? (e) According to rocket 2, how long before they collide? (f) If both rocket crews are capable of total evacuation within 90 min (their own time), will there be any casualties? Figure P1.34arrow_forwardA box is cubical with sides of proper lengths L1 = L2 = L3, as shown in Figure P26.14, when viewed in its own rest frame. If this block moves parallel to one of its edges with a speed of 0.80c past an observer, (a) what shape does it appear to have to this observer? (b) What is the length of each side as measured by the observer? Figure P26.14arrow_forward
- Owen and Dina are at rest in frame S. which is moving at 0.600c with respect to frame S. They play a game of catch while Ed. at rest in frame S, watches the action (Fig. P39.91). Owen throws the ball to Dina at 0.800c (according to Owen), and their separation (measured in S') is equal to 1.80 1012 m. (a) According to Dina, how fast is the ball moving? (b) According to Dina, what time interval is required for the ball to reach her? According to Ed, (c) how far apart are Owen and Dina, (d) how fast is the ball moving, and (e) what time interval is required for the ball to reach Dina?arrow_forwardJoe and Moe are twins. In the laboratory frame at location S1 (2.00 km, 0.200 km, 0.150 km). Joe shoots a picture for aduration of t= 12.0 s. For the same duration as measured inthe laboratory frame, at location S2 (1.00 km, 0.200 km,0.300 km), Moe also shoots a picture. Both Joe and Moe begintaking their pictures at t = 0 in the laboratory frame. Determine the duration of each event as measured by an observer ina frame moving at a speed of 2.00 108 m/s along the x axisin the positive x direction. Assume that at t = t = 0, the origins of the two frames coincide.arrow_forwardAn observer in frame S sees lightning simultaneously strike two points 100 m apart. The first strike occurs at x1 = y1 = z1 = t1 = 0 and the second at x2 = 100 m, y2 = z2 = t2 = 0. (a) What are the coordinates of these two events in a frame S moving in the standard configuration at 0.70c relative to S? (b) How far apart are the events in S? (c) Are the events simultaneous in S? If not, what is the difference in time between the events, and which event occurs first?arrow_forward
- As measured by observers in a reference frame S, a particle having charge q moves with velocity v in a magnetic field B and an electric field E. The resulting force on the particle is then measured to be F = q(E + v × B). Another observer moves along with the charged particle and measures its charge to be q also but measures the electric field to be E′. If both observers are to measure the same force, F, show that E′ = E + v × B.arrow_forwardConsider an electron moving with speed 0.980c. a. What is the rest mass energy of this electron? b. What is the total energyof this electron? c. What is the kinetic energy of this electron?arrow_forwardYou measure the volume of a cube at rest to be V0. You then measure the volume of the same cube as it passes you in a direction parallel to one side of the cube. The speed of the cube is 0.980c, so 5. Is the volume you measure close to (a) V0/25, (b) V0/5, (c) V0, (d) 5V0, or (e) 25V0?arrow_forward
- Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations...PhysicsISBN:9781133939146Author:Katz, Debora M.Publisher:Cengage LearningPrinciples of Physics: A Calculus-Based TextPhysicsISBN:9781133104261Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningModern PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781111794378Author:Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. MoyerPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern ...PhysicsISBN:9781337553292Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningPhysics for Scientists and EngineersPhysicsISBN:9781337553278Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningClassical Dynamics of Particles and SystemsPhysicsISBN:9780534408961Author:Stephen T. Thornton, Jerry B. MarionPublisher:Cengage Learning