Which observer in Figure 38.1 sees the ball’s correct path? (a) the observer in the truck (b) the observer on the ground (c) both observers
Figure 38.1 Two observers watch the path of a thrown ball and obtain different results.
Answer to Problem 39.1QQ
Explanation of Solution
The laws of mechanics are same for all inertial frames. The inertial frame of the observer in truck has the inertial frame that is at moving at the velocity of the truck and the relative motion with the ball is zero so the observer in the truck sees the path of the ball move in a vertical path.
The inertial frame of the observer on the ground has the inertial frame that is at stationary and the relative motion with the ball is moving at the velocity of the truck so the observer on the ground sees the path of the ball move as a parabola.
Both the observer sees the correct path due to the validity if Newton’s laws of motion but the inertial frames are different so they see different paths of the ball.
Conclusion:
Since, both the observer sees the correct path but the inertial frames are different so they see different paths of the ball. Thus, option (c) is correct.
As the inertial frame of observer on the ground is stationary and the inertial frame of observer on the truck is moving. Thus, option (a) is incorrect.
As the inertial frames of both the observers are same due to which the path of the ball observed is different which contradicts the fact that the path seen by observer on the ground is only correct. Thus, option (b) is incorrect.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 39 Solutions
Physics For Scientists And Engineers, Technology Update, Loose-leaf Version
- You are driving on a freeway at a relativistic speed. Straight ahead of you, a technician standing on the ground turns on a searchlight and a beam of light moves exactly vertically upward, as seen by the technician. As you observe the beam of light, you measure the magnitude of the vertical component of its velocity as (a) equal to c, (b) greater than c, or (c) less than c. If the technician aims the searchlight directly at you instead of upward, you measure the magnitude of the horizontal component of its velocity as (d) equal to c, (e) greater than c, or (f) less than c.arrow_forwardSuppose an astronaut is moving relative to Earth at a significant fraction of the speed of light. (a) Does he observe the rate of his to have slowed? (b) What change in the rate of earthbound does he see? (c) Does his ship seem to him to shorten? (d) What about the distance between two stars that lie in the direction of his motion? (e) Do he and an earthbound observer agree on his velocity relative to Earth?arrow_forwardA light flashes at position x = 0 m. One microsecond later, a light flashes at position x = 1000 m. In a second reference frame, moving along the x-axis at speed ν, the two flashes are simultaneous. Is this second frame moving to the right or to the left relative to the original frame?arrow_forward
- In frame S, event B occurs 2 ms after event A and at Dx = 1.5 km from event A. (a) How fast must an observer be moving along the +x axis so that events A and B occur simultaneously? (b) Is it possible for event B to precede event A for some observer?(c) Draw a spacetime diagram that illustrates your answers to (a) and (b). (d) Compute the spacetime interval and proper distance between the events.arrow_forwardJoe and Moe are twins. In the laboratory frame at location S1 (2.00 km, 0.200 km, 0.150 km). Joe shoots a picture for aduration of t= 12.0 s. For the same duration as measured inthe laboratory frame, at location S2 (1.00 km, 0.200 km,0.300 km), Moe also shoots a picture. Both Joe and Moe begintaking their pictures at t = 0 in the laboratory frame. Determine the duration of each event as measured by an observer ina frame moving at a speed of 2.00 108 m/s along the x axisin the positive x direction. Assume that at t = t = 0, the origins of the two frames coincide.arrow_forwardAn observer in frame S sees lightning simultaneously strike two points 100 m apart. The first strike occurs at x1 = y1 = z1 = t1 = 0 and the second at x2 = 100 m, y2 = z2 = t2 = 0. (a) What are the coordinates of these two events in a frame S moving in the standard configuration at 0.70c relative to S? (b) How far apart are the events in S? (c) Are the events simultaneous in S? If not, what is the difference in time between the events, and which event occurs first?arrow_forward
- (a) Suppose the speed of light were only 3000 m/s. A jet fighter moving toward a target on the ground at 800 m/s shoots bullets, each having a muzzle velocity of 1000 m/s. What are the bullets' velocity relative to the target? (b) If the speed of light was this small, would you observe relativistic effects in everyday life? Discuss.arrow_forwardSuppose an astronaut is moving relative to the Earth at a significant fraction of the speed of light. (a) Does he observe the rate of his clocks to have slowed? (b) What change in the rate of Earth-bound clocks does he see? (c) Does his ship seem to him to shorten? (d) What about the distance between stars that lie on lines parallel to his motion? (e) Do he and an Earth-bound observer agree on his velocity relative to the Earth?arrow_forwardOwen and Dina are at rest in frame S. which is moving at 0.600c with respect to frame S. They play a game of catch while Ed. at rest in frame S, watches the action (Fig. P39.91). Owen throws the ball to Dina at 0.800c (according to Owen), and their separation (measured in S') is equal to 1.80 1012 m. (a) According to Dina, how fast is the ball moving? (b) According to Dina, what time interval is required for the ball to reach her? According to Ed, (c) how far apart are Owen and Dina, (d) how fast is the ball moving, and (e) what time interval is required for the ball to reach Dina?arrow_forward
- An observer in a coasting spacecraft moves toward a mirror at speed v relative to the reference frame labeled S in Figure P39.85. The mirror is stationary with respect to S. A light pulse emitted by the spacecraft travels toward the mirror and is reflected back to the spacecraft. The spacecraft is a distance d from the mirror (as measured by observers in S) at the moment the light pulse leaves the spacecraft. What is the total travel time of the pulse as measured by observers in (a) the S frame and (b) the spacecraft?arrow_forwardSpacecraft I, containing students taking a physics exam, approaches the Earth with a speed of 0.600c (relative to the Earth), while spacecraft II, containing professors proctoring the exam, moves at 0.280c (relative to the Earth) directly toward the students. If the professors stop the exam after 50.0 min have passed on their clock, for what time interval does the exam last as measured by (a) the students and (b) an observer on the Earth?arrow_forward27.)What must be the speed of a moving train so that an observer on the train sees a meter stick as 50.0 cm in length? 0.750c 0.968c 0.866c 0.910carrow_forward
- University Physics Volume 3PhysicsISBN:9781938168185Author:William Moebs, Jeff SannyPublisher:OpenStaxPhysics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations...PhysicsISBN:9781133939146Author:Katz, Debora M.Publisher:Cengage LearningModern PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781111794378Author:Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. MoyerPublisher:Cengage Learning
- College PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781938168000Author:Paul Peter Urone, Roger HinrichsPublisher:OpenStax CollegePrinciples of Physics: A Calculus-Based TextPhysicsISBN:9781133104261Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningPhysics for Scientists and EngineersPhysicsISBN:9781337553278Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage Learning