Question

A relativistic rocket is measured to be 52 m long, 2.4 m high, and 2.1 m wide by its pilot. It is traveling at 0.65 c (in the direction parallel to its length) relative to an inertial observer.

B) What is the length of the rocket as measured by the inertial observer?

C) What is the volume of the rocket according to the pilot?

D) What about the inertial observer?

E) If the rocket and pilot combined has a mass of 24000 kg

before launch, what is their kinetic energy according to the inertial observer when they are moving?

Answer 1

B) The proper length of the rocket is the length measured by the piolet in its rest frame.

L₀=52m

Length appeared to be contracted to the inertial observer.

where

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C) Volume of rocket according to pilot=L₀*B*H=52*2.4*2.1=268.08m³

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D) Since velocity is parallel to its length only length will be contracted for the inertial observer

Other dimensions willl remain the same.

Volume measured by inertial observer = L*B*H=199.160m³

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E) Relativisitc Kinetic energy is given by

.