Question

Two satellites are approaching the Earth from opposite directions. According to an observer on the Earth, satellite A is moving at a speed of 0.648c and satellite B at a speed of 0.795c. What is the speed of satellite A as observed from satellite B

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Satellite A and satellite B are approaching the earth from opposite directions , that means they are approaching each other . The velocity of satellite A and B are .648c and .795c respectively . Their velocities are comparable to velocity of light so they will follow relativistic laws .

Their relative velocity will be given by the following relation .

$V_r=\frac{u+v}{1+\frac{uv}{c^2} } }$

where u and v are velocities of vehicles coming from opposite direction and c is velocity of light .

$V_r=\frac{.795c+.648c}{1+\frac{.648c\times .795c}{c^2} } }$

$V_r=\frac{1.443c}{1+.515 } }$

= .952c