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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

An electric bulb, linked to a make and break power supply, turns...

An electric bulb, linked to a make and break power supply, turns off and on every second in its rest frame. Determine the frequency of its switching off and on as observed from a spaceship travelling at a speed of 0.8c0.8c.

Options

  1. A0.6 Hz0.6 \text{ Hz}
  2. B1.67 Hz1.67 \text{ Hz}
  3. C0.8 Hz0.8 \text{ Hz}
  4. D1.0 Hz1.0 \text{ Hz}

Correct answer

A. 0.6 Hz0.6 \text{ Hz}

Step-by-step solution

The proper time interval between two consecutive switching events in the rest frame of the bulb is Δt0=1 s\Delta t_0 = 1 \text{ s}.

The spaceship is moving with a speed v=0.8cv = 0.8c relative to the bulb.

According to the time dilation formula, the time interval Δt\Delta t observed from the spaceship is given by:

Δt=Δt01−v2c2\Delta t = \dfrac{\Delta t_0}{\sqrt{1 - \dfrac{v^2}{c^2}}}

Substituting v=0.8cv = 0.8c and Δt0=1 s\Delta t_0 = 1 \text{ s}:

Δt=11−(0.8)2=11−0.64=10.36=10.6 s\Delta t = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1 - (0.8)^2}} = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1 - 0.64}} = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{0.36}} = \dfrac{1}{0.6} \text{ s}

The observed frequency ff is the reciprocal of the observed time interval:

f=1Δt=0.6 Hzf = \dfrac{1}{\Delta t} = 0.6 \text{ Hz}
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