Calculating Length Contraction: The Distance between Stars Contracts when You Travel at High Velocity Suppose an astronaut, such as the twin discussed in Simultaneity and Time Dilation, travels so fast that y = 30.00. (a) She travels from the Earth to the nearest star system, Alpha Centauri, 4.300 light years (ly) away as measured by an Earth-bound observer. How far apart are the Earth and Alpha Centauri as measured by the astronaut? (b) In terms of c, what is her velocity relative to the Earth? You may neglect the motion of the Earth relative to the Sun. (See Figure 28.11.) At Alpha Centauri Earth Lo v = Δt (а) At, At, Alpha Centauri (b) Figure 28.11 (a) The Earth-bound observer measures the proper distance between the Earth and the Alpha Centauri. (b) The astronaut observes a length contraction, since the Earth and the Alpha Centauri move relative to her ship. She can travel this shorter distance in a smaller time (her proper time) without exceeding the speed of light.

Calculating Length Contraction: The Distance between Stars Contracts when You Travel at High Velocity Suppose an astronaut, such as the twin discussed in Simultaneity and Time Dilation, travels so fast that y = 30.00. (a) She travels from the Earth to the nearest star system, Alpha Centauri, 4.300 light years (ly) away as measured by an Earth-bound observer. How far apart are the Earth and Alpha Centauri as measured by the astronaut? (b) In terms of c, what is her velocity relative to the Earth? You may neglect the motion of the Earth relative to the Sun. (See Figure 28.11.) At Alpha Centauri Earth Lo v = Δt (а) At, At, Alpha Centauri (b) Figure 28.11 (a) The Earth-bound observer measures the proper distance between the Earth and the Alpha Centauri. (b) The astronaut observes a length contraction, since the Earth and the Alpha Centauri move relative to her ship. She can travel this shorter distance in a smaller time (her proper time) without exceeding the speed of light.

University Physics Volume 3

17th Edition

ISBN:9781938168185

Author:William Moebs, Jeff Sanny

Publisher:William Moebs, Jeff Sanny

Chapter5: Relativity

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 5.3CYU: Check Your Understanding a. A particle travels at 1.90108m/sand lives 2.10108swhen at rest relative...

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