Question
A spaceship is heading directly toward Earth at a velocity v of 0.720c. The astronaut on board claims that he can send a canister toward
A spaceship is heading directly toward Earth at a velocity v of 0.720c. The astronaut on board claims that he can send a canister toward the Earth at u = 1.30c relative to Earth.
(a) Calculate the presumed correct velocity u' the canister must have relative to the spaceship
Use
u = (u' + v)/(1 +vu'/c^2) and solve for u'
u' =?
(b) Knowing the result from Part I Question 4, what is unreasonable and inconsistent with this problem.
A) A velocity of v = 0.720 c is unreasonable and u > c is inconsistent
B) Exceeding c for u is unreasonable
C) u' exceeding c is inconsistent
D) You cannot have u' exceed c, this is impossible. The velocity u being > c is unreasonable and inconsistent with the laws of relativity.
(c) Using this corrected information, calculate the presumed correct velocity u' the canister must have relative to the spaceship.
A spaceship is heading directly toward Earth at a velocity v of 0.720c. The astronaut on board claims that he can send a canister toward the Earth at u = 0.950c relative to Earth.
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