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Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
Exam
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
Subject
Physics
Chapter
The Special Theory of Relativity

Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2] · Physics · The Special Theory of Relativity

A shop owner measures a suitcase kept on a rack to be 50 cm × 25 cm...

A shop owner measures a suitcase kept on a rack to be 50 cm×25 cm×10 cm50 \text{ cm} \times 25 \text{ cm} \times 10 \text{ cm}. A traveller takes this suitcase on a train travelling with a velocity of 0.6c0.6c. If the suitcase is oriented with its length parallel to the train's velocity, determine the dimensions measured by an observer on the ground.

Options

  1. A50 cm×25 cm×10 cm50 \text{ cm} \times 25 \text{ cm} \times 10 \text{ cm}
  2. B62.5 cm×25 cm×10 cm62.5 \text{ cm} \times 25 \text{ cm} \times 10 \text{ cm}
  3. C40 cm×25 cm×10 cm40 \text{ cm} \times 25 \text{ cm} \times 10 \text{ cm}
  4. D40 cm×20 cm×8 cm40 \text{ cm} \times 20 \text{ cm} \times 8 \text{ cm}

Correct answer

C. 40 cm×25 cm×10 cm40 \text{ cm} \times 25 \text{ cm} \times 10 \text{ cm}

Step-by-step solution

The proper dimensions of the suitcase are L0=50 cmL_0 = 50 \text{ cm}, W0=25 cmW_0 = 25 \text{ cm}, and H0=10 cmH_0 = 10 \text{ cm}.

The train is moving with a velocity v=0.6cv = 0.6c. Length contraction occurs only along the direction of motion (parallel to the length).

The length measured by the observer on the ground is given by:

L=L01−v2c2L = L_0 \sqrt{1 - \dfrac{v^2}{c^2}}

L=501−(0.6)2=501−0.36=50×0.8=40 cmL = 50 \sqrt{1 - (0.6)^2} = 50 \sqrt{1 - 0.36} = 50 \times 0.8 = 40 \text{ cm}

The dimensions perpendicular to the direction of motion remain unchanged. Thus, the width and height are 25 cm25 \text{ cm} and 10 cm10 \text{ cm} respectively.

The dimensions measured by the observer on the ground are 40 cm×25 cm×10 cm40 \text{ cm} \times 25 \text{ cm} \times 10 \text{ cm}.
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