Question

3. In a distant solar system, a spacecraft travels between Planet A and Planet X in a straight line at speed v = 0.90 c at a time when A and X are 3.24 x 1011 m apart. The distance is measured in the fixed frame of reference, in which the sun, Planet A, and Planet X are at rest. (We neglect any motion of the planets with respect to each other and the sun
during this short time.)
a. In the frame in which the spacecraft is at rest, how fast are the Planet A and Planet X moving? (2points)
Answer: v = ____________ c

b. Calculate gamma? (2 points)
Answer: γ = ______________

c. How long does it take for the spacecraft to go from A to X assuming a fixed reference frame? (4 points)
Answer: Δt = _____________ seconds

d. How far apart are the A and X in the spacecraft frame? (4 points)
Answer: L = _______________ m

e. In the spacecraft frame, how much time elapses between the A passing by, and B passing by? (4 points)
Answer: Δtp = ___________seconds

Answer 1