Solutions to HW 10

Problems and Exercises:

37.28. Visualize: At t  t  t  0 s, the origins of the S, S, and S reference frames coincide.
 12  12
Solve: We have    1  (v / c)2    1  (0.80)2   1.667.
(a) Using the Lorentz transformations,
x   ( x  vt )  1.667 1200 m  (0.80)(3  108 m/s)(2.0  106 s)   1200 m

 
 vx  (0.80)(3  108 m/s)(1200 m) 
t     t  2   1.667  2.0  106 s   2.0 s
   
2
 c  3  108
m/s
 
(b) Using v  c, the above equations yield x   2800 m and t   8.67 s.

 12  12
We have    1   v c     1   0.60    1.25. In the earth’s reference frame, the We
2 2
37.29. Solve:
assume that the axes of the two frames coincide at t=t’= 0 sec
Lorentz transformations yield

x   ( x  vt )  1.25 3.0  1010 m   0.60   3.0  108 m/s   200    8.25  1010 m  8.3  1010 m

 v x 
  0.60   3.0 108 m/s  3.0  1010 m  
t    t   2   1.25  200   325 s  330 s
   
2
 c  3.0  108
m/s
 

37.30. Model: S is the ground’s frame and S is the rocket’s frame. S moves with velocity v  0.5c
relative to S.
 12  12
(a) We have    1   v / c     1   0.50  
2 2
Solve:  1.155. Applying the Lorentz transformations to the
lightning strike at x  0 m and t  10 s,
x    x  vt   (1.155)  0 m   0.5   3.0  108 m/s 1  105 s    1732 m  1700 m
 vx 
t     t  2  (1.155)(1  105 s  0 s)  11.55 s  12 s
 c 
For the lightning strike at x  30 km and t  10 s,
x  1.155  3.0  104 m   0.50   3.0  108 m/s 1  105 s    32.91 m  33 m
  0.50   3.0  108 m/s  3.0  104 m  
t   1.155  1  105 s   46.2 s  46 s
  3.0 108 m/s  
2

 
(b) The events in the rocket’s frame are not simultaneous. The lightning is observed to strike the pole
before the tree by
46  12  58 s.

Hence we could infer, from direct application of Lorentz transformation (which is less confusing and
more universal ), that simultaneity is relative.
37.31. Model: The rocket and the earth are inertial frames. Let the earth be frame S and the rocket be
frame S. S moves with v  0.8c relative to S. The bullet’s velocity in reference frame S is u  0.9c.
Solve: Using the Lorentz velocity transformation equation,
u  v 0.9c  0.8c
u   0.36c
1  uv / c 2 1   0.9c  0.8c  / c 2
The bullet’s speed is 0.36c along the x-direction. Note that the velocity transformations use velocity,
which can be negative, and not speed. Hence it is absolutely important to define the positive direction of
motion. Is most cases the direction of S’ w.r.t S is taken to be positive for bothe reference frames S and S’

37.32. Model: The proton and the earth (the Laboratory) are inertial frames. Let the earth be frame S
and the proton be frame S. S moves with v  0.9c. The electron’s velocity in the laboratory frame is
0.9c. Notice that the direction of motion of proton frame S’ w.r.t lab frame S is towards right. This
direction is taken to be positive for judging velocities in both S and S’ frames.

Solve: Using the Lorentz velocity transformation equation,

uv 0.9c  0.9c
u    0.994c
1  uv / c 1   0.9c  0.9c  / c 2
2

The electron’s speed is 0.994c.

Notice that under Galilean Transformation the velocity of the electron w.r.t proton would exceed c which
is impossible to observe.

37.33. Model: The earth and the other galaxy are inertial reference frames. Let the earth be frame S
and the other galaxy be frame S. S moves with v  0.2c. The quasar’s speed in frame S is u  0.8c.
Solve: Using the Lorentz velocity transformation equation,
u v 0.8c  0.2c
u    0.71c
1  uv / c 1   0.8c  0.2c  / c 2
2

Assess: In Newtonian mechanics, the Galilean transformation of velocity would give u  0.6c.

Note: the direction taken to be positive is “away” from the earth. Since both move away from the earth
hence we have substituted v  0.2c and u  0.8c. please keep a track of the signs and while substituting
in the formula take and given direction to be positive, get your answer and depending on its sign reletive
to your assumed positive direction write down the motion (i.e, towards right/left, away/towards etc.)

37.34. Solve: (a) The relativistic momentum is

p
mu

1.67  10 27
kg   0.999   3.0  108 m/s 
 1.12  1017 kg m/s
1  u 2 / c2 1   0.999 
2

m0
In other words the relativistic momentum w.r.t a frame is the relativistic mass m  w.r.t that
1u2 c2
frame times the velocity of the body in that frame. Where m0  1.67  10 27 kg is the rest mass.
(b) The ratio of the relativistic momentum and the Newtonian momentum is
prelativistic mu 1 1
   22.4
pclassical 1  u 2 / c 2 mu 1  u 2 / c2
37.35. Solve: The relativistic momentum is
p
mu
 400,000 kg m/s 
1.0 10 3
kg  u
1 u c 2 2
1  u c2
2

u2 1.0  103 kg  u  3  u  u2 9 u2
 1 2
 c     1 2   u  0.80c
c 400,000 kg m/s  c  4  c  c 16 c 2
Assess: In Newtonian mechanics, the momentum would be p  mu  (1.0  103 kg)(0.80)(3.0  108
m/s)  240,000 kg m/s.

Note: the particles mass of 1 gram is actually the rest mass.

37.38. Model: The particle is highly relativistic since u  0.8c.

Solve: We have
1 1 5 5 2
p      p 1  1 
1 u c 1   0.80  3 3 3
2 2 2

The kinetic energy is K    p  1 E0 , where E 0 is

E0  mc 2  1.0  103 kg  3.0  108 m/s   9.0  1013 J

2

2
 K     9.0  1013 J   6.0  1013 J
3
The rest energy is E 0  mc2  9.0  1013 J. Here m is the rest mass.
 p E 0 is the total relativistic energy which is the sum of the rest mass energy E 0 and the kinetic energy of
the particle.
The total energy is E  E 0  K  9.0  1013 J  6.0  1013 J  1.5  1014 J.

37.41. Solve: Ashown in the previous problem E   p mc2  E 0  K.E . For K.E  2E 0 , the total
energy of the moving particle in that frame is given by,
1 u2 1 8
E   p mc2  E 0  2E 0  3mc2   p   3 1  u  c  0.943c
1  u 2 / c2 c2 9 3

37.42, This problemis similar to the previous problem,

Solve: The total energy is E   p mc2. For E  2E 0 , 2E 0   p mc2   p E 0 and  p  2. Hence,

1 u2 3
2   u  0.866c
1  u 2 / c2 c2 4

37.47. Model: Let the earth be reference frame S and let the spaceship be the reference frame S. S
moves relative to S with speed v.
Solve: For an observer in the earth’s frame S, the length of the solar system is 10 lh. The time interval
for the spaceship to cross is t  15 hours. The time interval measured in S is the proper time because
this can be measured with one clock at both positions (i.e., both edges of the solar system). The velocity v
is
10 lh 2 2
v  lh/h  c
15 h 3 3
W.r.t the space ship the two events (entering one side of the solar system and exiting from the other end )
happen at the same coordinate, i.e, fixed point. Hence the time for crossing the solar system as seen by the
s[aceship is the proper time. Therefore the time witnessed by an observer from earth is the dilated time.
Because t  , from Equation 36.9 for time dialationwe have
  t 1   2  15 h  1   32   11.2 h
2

37.48. Model: Let the earth be frame S and the train be frame S´. S´ moves with velocity v  0.5c
relative to S. The
30 m length is measured in the train’s reference frame, frame S´.
Visualize: The light flashes at t  t´  0 s as the origins of S and S´ coincide.

Solve: (a) For passengers on the train, light travels 15 m in both directions at speed c. The fact that the
train is moving relative to the earth doesn’t affect the speed of light. Thus the light flash arrives at both
ends of the train simultaneously, causing the bell and siren to be simultaneous. Since the light flashed at t´
 0 s, the time of these two simultaneous events is tB tS (15 m)/(300 m/s)  0.050 s.
(b) The spacetime coordinates of the event “bell rings” are ( xB, tB)  (15 m, 0.050 s). The coordinates of
the event “siren sounds” are ( xS, t S)  (–15 m, 0.050 s). We can use the Lorentz time transformation to
find the times of these events in frame S. To do so, we first need to calculate
1 1
   1.1547
1  ( v/c ) 2
1  (0.50) 2

Consequently, the times are

tB    tB  vxB / c 2     tB  (v / c)( xB / c) 
 1.1547  0.050 s  (0.50)((15 m) / (300 m/s))   0.087 s
tS    tS  vxS / c 2     tS  (v / c)( xS / c) 
 1.1547  0.050 s  (0.50)((15 m)/(300 m/ s))   0.029 s

Thus the siren sounds before the bell rings. The time interval between the two is ∆t  0.087 s – 0.029 s
 0.058 s.
This again illustrates the relativity of simultaneity.

37.49. Model: Let S be the galaxy’s frame and S the alien spacecraft’s frame. The spacetime interval
s between the two events is invariant in all frames.
Solve: (a) The light from Alpha’s explosion will travel 10 ly in 10 years. Since neither light nor any
other signal from Alpha can travel 100 ly in 10 years to reach Beta, the explosion of Alpha could not
cause the explosion of Beta.
(b) Because the spacetime interval s between the two events is invariant,
 2 2
 1 ly   1 ly 
s 2  c 2  t    x   c 2  t     x     10 y   100 ly      t    120 ly 
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

 y   y 
 10 y   100 y    t    120 y   t   67.1 years
2 2 2 2

This problem is an example of application of conservation of the space-time interval.

Eventhough a Lorentz transformation would be the more fundamental way of solving problems for
moving frames but in this problem we do not have the necessary data given to us (for eg; the velocity of
alien spacecraft w.r.t the galaxy) to carry out the transformation. Hence we are needed to use the
spacetime interval conservation formula.

37.50. Model: The spacetime interval s between the two events is invariant in all frames.
Solve: (a) Equating the two spacetime intervals,
2 2
 300 m   300 m 
c  t    x   c  t     x     10 s    0 m      t     2400 m 
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

 s   s 
 10 s    8 s    t    t   12.8 s
2 2 2

(b) Note that t   because the event occurs at the same point in space. Hence, there is time dilation
w.r.t the moving S’ frame.
 10 s
t    12.8 s   v  0.625c
1 v / c 1  v2 / c2
2

37.51. Model: The earth is frame S and the starship is frame S. S moves relative to S with a speed v.
Solve: (a) The speed of the starship is
20 ly  20 y  c
v   0.80c
25 y 25 y

(b) The astronauts measure the proper time while they are traveling. This is
v2
t  1   0.8   25 y   15 y
2
  1 
c2
Because the explorers stay on the planet for one year, the time elapsed on their chronometer is 16 years.

37.53. Model: S is the electron’s frame and S is the ground’s frame. S moves relative to S with a speed v
 0.99999997c.
Solve: For an experimenter in the S frame, the length of the accelerator tube is 3.2 km. This is the proper
length   L because it is at rest and is always there for measurements. The electron measures the tube to be
length contracted to
L  1   2   1   0.99999997   3200 m   0.78 m
2

37.54. Model: Let the earth be frame S and the rocket be frame S´. S´ moves with speed v relative to
S.
Solve: (a) The round-trip distance is 860 ly. If the rocket takes time ∆t to make the round trip, as
measured on earth, its speed (as a fraction of c) is
v 860 ly 860 yr
 
c c t t
where we used c  1 ly/yr (1 light year per year). The astronaut’s elapsed time ∆t´ is the proper time, so
∆  20 yr. The time dilation equation is
 20 yr
t    1  (860 yr/ t ) 2  ( 20 yr/ t ) 2
1  ( v/c ) 2
1  (860 yr/t ) 2

Solving for ∆t gives ∆t  860.2325 y, and thus

v 860 y
  0.99973  v  0.99973c
c 860.2325 y
(b) The rocket starts with rest energy E i  mc2 and accelerates to have energy E f   p mc2. Thus the energy
needed to accelerate the rocket is
∆E  E f – E 1  ( p – 1)mc2
This is just the kinetic energy K gained by the rocket. We know the rocket’s speed, so
 1 
E    1 (20,000 kg)(3.0  108 m/s )2  7.6  1022 J
 1  (0.99973) 2 
 
(c) The total energy used by the United States in 2000 was ≈1.0 1020 J. To accelerate the rocket would
require roughly 760 times the total energy used by the United States.

37.57. Model: Let S be the earth’s reference frame and S be the reference frame of one rocket. S
moves relative to S with v  0.75c. The speed of the second rocket in the frame S is u  0.75c.
Visualize:

Solve: Using the Lorentz velocity transformation equation,

u v 0.75c   0.75c 
u    0.96c
1  uv c 2 1   0.75c  0.75c  c 2

Assess: In Newtonian mechanics, the Galilean transformation of velocity will give u  0.75c  (0.75c)
 1.50c. This is not permissible according to the theory of relativity.

Note: we have chosen one direction (right) to be positive and stick to it in both the frames.

37.62. Model: Let S be the sun’s reference frame and S be the rocket’s reference frame. S moves
with speed v  0.8c relative to S. The flare’s speed in the frame S is u  0.9c.
Visualize:
Solve: Using the Lorentz velocity transformation equation,
u v 0.9c  0.8c
u    0.36c
1 2 1 
uv 0.9c  0.8c 
c c2
That is, the flare is approaching the rocket at a speed of 0.36c.
Note: we have chosen one direction (right) to be positive and stick to it in both the frames.

37.68. Model: Use Equations 37.35 and 37.42 for the momentum and total energy. Also, the quantity
E 0  mc2 is an invariant in all inertial reference frames.
Solve: (a) The momentum and energy are
1 1
p   mu  mu  1.67 10 27
kg   0.99   3  108 m/s    3.5  1018 kg m/s
1  u 2 c2 1   0.99 
2

1 1
1.67 10 kg  3.0  108 m/s   1.1  109 J
2
E   mc 2  mc 2  27

1 u c 1   0.99 
2 2 2

(b) From Equation 36.45, E  p c  E  m 2c 4 . Thus,

2 2 2 2
0

 5.0  1010 J 
2
E 2
 1.67  1027 kg   3.0  108 m/s 
2 2
p2  m c 
2 2

 3.0 10 m/s 

2
c2 8

  2.778  1036  0.2510  1036  kg 2 m 2 /s 2  p  1.6  1018 kg m/s

37.70. Solve: The rest energy and the total energy are given by Equations 37.43 and 37.42. We have
mp 1
m p c2  m e c2     1833   u  0.99999985c
me 1  u 2 / c2

37.72. Model: Mass and energy are equivalent and given by Equation 37.43.
Solve: (a) The sun radiates energy for 3.154  107 s per year. The amount of energy radiated per year is
(3.8  1026 J/s)(3.154  107 s)  1.198  1034 J/y
Since E 0  mc2, the amount of mass lost is
E0 1.198  1034 J
m   1.33  1017 kg  1.3  1017 kg
 3.0 10 m/s 
2 8 2
c

(b) Since the mass of the sun is 2.0  1030 kg, the sun loses 6.7  10 12 % of its mass every year.
(c) The lifetime of the sun can be estimated to be
 2.0  1030 kg
T  1.5  1013 years
1.33  1017 kg/y

The sun will not really last this long in its current state because fusion only takes place in the core and it
will become a red giant when the core hydrogen is all fused.

37.75. Model: Particles can be created from energy, and particles can return to energy. When a
particle and its antiparticle meet, they annihilate each other and create two gamma ray photons.
Solve: The energy of the electron is
1
 9.1110 kg  3.0  108 m/s   1.88  10
13
2
Eelectron   p mec 2  31
J
1   0.9 
2

The energy of the positron is the same, so the total energy is E total  E electron  E positron  3.76  1013 J. The
energy is converted to two equal-energy photons. Thus, E total  2hf  2hc  . The wavelength is

2hc 2  6.62  10 J s  3  10 m/s 

34 8

  13
 1.06  1012 m  1 pm
Etotal 3.76  10 J

Assess: This wavelength is typical of -ray photons.