Question

What is the ratio of the length of the spacecraft, as viewed through a telescope on earth, to its length when measured after landing on earth? (Assume that the spacecraft is moving at a right angle to the line of observation.)

Answer 1

Solution:

Let,

The speed at which the spacecraft traveling be u

Length of the spacecraft as observed on earth surface be l_o [Proper length]

Length of spacecraft as observed from telescope be l,

Using Length contraction formula,

The ratio of lengths,

l/l_o =

If you have the velocity with which spacecraft is travelling, you can get the real ratio of length.

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