Question

A spaceship moves at a constant velocity of 0.400c relative to an Earth observer. The pilot of the spaceship is holding a rod, which he measures to be 1.00 m long. The rod is held perpendicular to the direction of motion of the spaceship. How long is the rod according to the Earth observer

Answer 1

Since the rod is held perpendicular to the direction of motion of the spaceship, the rod is 1.00 m long to an Earth observer.

To answer the question, we use the principle of length contraction in relativity.

What is Length contraction?

The principle of length contraction states that the length of an object would only contraction when it is in the direction of motion.

So, since the 1.00 m long rod is in the spaceship is held perpendicular to the direction of motion of the spaceship, there is no length contraction and thus, an observer on the Earth measures the same length of 1.00 m.

So, Since the rod is held perpendicular to the direction of motion of the spaceship, the rod is 1.00 m long to an Earth observer.

Learn more about length contraction here:

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