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
When the speed of a rod travelling parallel to its length at a...
When the speed of a rod travelling parallel to its length at a relativistic speed is doubled,
Options
- Aits mass will increase
- Bits mass will become double the initial value
- Cits length will decrease
- Dits length will become half of the initial value
Correct answer
C. its length will decrease
Step-by-step solution
The relativistic mass of an object moving with velocity is given by:
The relativistic length of an object moving with velocity parallel to its length is given by:
When the speed is doubled to , the term increases to . Consequently, the factor decreases.
As the denominator in the mass expression decreases, the relativistic mass increases.
As the factor in the length expression decreases, the relativistic length decreases.
Since the dependence on is not linear, the mass does not exactly double and the length does not exactly become half for an arbitrary initial velocity.
The relativistic length of an object moving with velocity parallel to its length is given by:
When the speed is doubled to , the term increases to . Consequently, the factor decreases.
As the denominator in the mass expression decreases, the relativistic mass increases.
As the factor in the length expression decreases, the relativistic length decreases.
Since the dependence on is not linear, the mass does not exactly double and the length does not exactly become half for an arbitrary initial velocity.