You are standing on a train platform watching a high-speed train pass by. A light inside one of the train cars is turned on and then a little later it is turned off. (a) Who can measure the proper time interval for the duration of the light: you or a passenger on the train? (b) Who can measure the proper length of the train car: you or a passenger on the train? (c) Who can measure the proper length of a sign attached to a post on the train platform: you or a passenger on the train? In each case explain your answer
Read moreTable of Contents
Textbook Solutions for University Physics with Modern Physics (1)
Question
The negative pion 1p-2 is an unstable particle with an average lifetime of 2.60 * 10-8 s (measured in the rest frame of the pion). (a) If the pion is made to travel at very high speed relative to a laboratory, its average lifetime is measured in the laboratory to be 4.20 * 10-7 s. Calculate the speed of the pion expressed as a fraction of c. (b) What distance, measured in the laboratory, does the pion travel during its average lifetime?
Solution
The first step in solving 37 problem number 20 trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: The negative pion 1p-2 is an unstable particle with an average lifetime of 2.60 * 10-8 s (measured in the rest frame of the pion). (a) If the pion is made to travel at very high speed relative to a laboratory, its average lifetime is measured in the laboratory to be 4.20 * 10-7 s. Calculate the speed of the pion expressed as a fraction of c. (b) What distance, measured in the laboratory, does the pion travel during its average lifetime?
From the textbook chapter Relativity you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.
Visible to paid subscribers only
Step 3 of 7)Visible to paid subscribers only
full solution