Question

A rocket 100 m long is flying horizontally at ground level at very high velocity. The rocket appears to be 50 m long according to a stationary farmer. The farmer wants to put the rocket in a barn that’s 80 m long without stopping the rocket. Can the farmer succeed with this plan?

Select one: a. No, the front and back ends of the rocket will not be in the barn at the same time. b. Yes, for a very short interval of time, the farmer will observe the front and back ends of the rocket are within the barn.

Answer 1

Correct option is : (b) Yes, for a very short interval of time, the farmer will observe the front and back ends of the rocket are within the barn.

Reason : the rocket is travelling with a such a high velocity, apparently in a velocity compared to speed of light, that relativistic effects will be observed, and hence a sationary observer will observer a contraction in its length. So, the farmer will observe a length contracted 50 m - long rocket in a 80 m - long barn.