A spaceship in distress sends out two escape pods in oppositedirections. One tra

Question

A spaceship in distress sends out two escape pods in oppositedirections. One travels at a speed v1 =0.53c inone direction, and the other travels at a speedv2 = 0.67c in the otherdirection, as observed from the spaceship. What speed does thefirst escape pod measure for the second escape pod?
A spaceship in distress sends out two escape pods in oppositedirections. One travels at a speed v1 =0.53c inone direction, and the other travels at a speedv2 = 0.67c in the otherdirection, as observed from the spaceship. What speed does thefirst escape pod measure for the second escape pod?

Explanation / Answer

v2 = (v1 - u) / (1 - u v1 /c2)      relativistic velocityaddition formula v1 & v2   here are NOT those specified in the problem u = -.53 c    the speed of the frame in whichpod moving in negative x direction is at rest (relative tospaceship) v1 = .67 c   speed of pod moving inpositive x-direction (relative to space ship) v2 = (.67 + .53) c / (1 + .53 * .67) = .89c    speed measured in frame moving in negative xdirection

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.