Length contraction

Question 1

For an observer in a laboratory on Earth, the distance travelled by a muon that reaches the Earth is _____ than the distance travelled by a muon in its frame of reference.

Answer 1

greater

Question 2

What is length contraction

Answer 2

Length contraction is where the length of an object moving at a constant velocity with respect to an observer appears to the observer to be shortened in the direction of its motion

Question 3

The proper length, L0, of the rod is

Answer 3

its length as measured by an observer at rest relative to the rod

Question 4

For the observer at rest, L =

Answer 4

v * t0

where v = velocity of rod

Question 5

For the observer moving at velocity v relative to the other observer at rest, at rest relative to the rod, its proper length (as measured), L0 =

Answer 5

vt = vyt0 = Ly

Question 6

What is greater, L or L0

Answer 6

0 < 1/y < 1
As L=L0/y
L < L0 (L0 = stationary relative to rod)

Question 7

According to special relativity, the length of an object is at its longest and a clock ticks at its fastest when

Answer 7

observed in their own inertial reference frame

Question 8

If an object and clock are moving relative to an observer

Answer 8

the object appears to the observer to be contracted and the clock ticks more slowly

Question 9

Distance travelled =

Answer 9

L0 = vt = vyt0 = Ly

Therefore distance travelled, L= L0 / y = vt0 = vt/y

Question 10

What happens to the train carriages

Answer 10

they are shortened in the direction of travel relative to the platform