Problems for Engineering Physics - II
1 Special theory of relativity
Problem 1.1 to 1.5 relate time dilation, length contraction and synchronization with each other. These
problems are linked with each other. Therefore solve them in the given sequence.
Instructions:
A. Solve on your own. When you get an answer (whatever correct or incorrect), compare it with your
friend’s result. If there is any difference, discuss with her/him, and try to reach a conclusion.
B. 1 light seconds is equal to the path traveled by light in 1 second.
1.1. A mirror is placed above a light source, as shown in figure below. The light source can emit light
pulse in vertical direction. This setup is placed in the spaceship of Alice. The distance between
light source and mirror is 10 light seconds as measured by Alice. Alice sees that the light source
emits a light pulse, the light pulse hits the mirror and reflected, and come back to source. Bob,
who is in another spaceship, sees that Alice is moving along x-axis with velocity 0.6c.
Alice’s spaceship
(a) Draw x and y-axis on a paper. Now, draw the path traveled by light pulse, as seen by Alice.
Calculate all relevant lengths.
(b) Draw the path of light pulse, as seen by Bob. Calculate all relevant lengths.
(c) Evaluate time taken by light pulse to travel the path drawn in Problem (1.1a).
(d) Evaluate time taken by light pulse to travel the path drawn in Problem (1.1b).
(e) Do you find any difference in the results obtained in Problem (1.1c) and (1.1d)? If yes, what
are your views or understanding on difference in results.
1.2. A mirror is placed in the right side of a light source, as shown in figure below. The light source
can emit light pulse in horizontal direction. This setup is placed in the spaceship of Alice. The
distance between light source and mirror is 10 light seconds as measured by Alice. Alice sees that
1
the light source emits a light pulse, the light pulse hits the mirror and reflected, and come back
to source. Bob, who is in another spaceship, sees that Alice is moving along x-axis with velocity
0.6c.
Alice’s spaceship
(a) Draw x and y-axis on a paper. Now, draw the path traveled by light pulse, as seen by Alice.
Calculate all relevant lengths.
(b) Draw the path of light pulse, as seen by Bob. Calculate all relevant lengths.
(c) Evaluate time taken by light pulse to travel the path drawn in Problem (1.2a).
(d) Evaluate time taken by light pulse to travel the path drawn in Problem (1.2b).
(e) Do you find any difference in the results obtained in Problem (1.2c) and (1.2d)? If yes, what
are your views or understanding on difference in results.
(f) Do you find any difference in the results obtained in Problem (1.1c) and (1.2c)? If yes, what
is your opinion about difference in results.
(g) Do you find any difference in the results obtained in Problem (1.1d) and (1.2d)? If yes, what
is your opinion about difference in results.
1.3. Two mirrors are placed in the right side and above a light source respectively, as shown in figure
below. The light source can emit light pulses in horizontal and vertical direction. This setup
is placed in the spaceship of Alice. The distance between light source and mirrors is 10 light
seconds as measured by Alice. Alice sees that the light source emits light pulses simultaneously
in horizontal and vertical directions. The light pulses hit the mirrors, reflected, and come back
to source. Bob, who is in another spaceship, sees that Alice is moving along x-axis with velocity
0.6c.
Alice’s spaceship
(a) How much delay does Alice notice between two pulses when these pulses come back to source
after reflecting from horizontal and vertical mirror. Use your answers obtained in Problem
(1.1c) and (1.2c) to solve this problem.
2
(b) How much delay does Bob notice between two pulses when these pulses come back to source
after reflecting from horizontal and vertical mirror. Use your answers obtained in Problem
(1.1d) and (1.2d) to solve this problem.
(c) Without doing any mathematics, write your logic or views on whether you should get same
or different answer in Problem (1.3a) and (1.3b). Is your logic consistent with your answers?
1.4. For the situation mentioned in Problem (1.1),
(a) Calculate how much time does Alice record when light pulse goes from source to mirror (just
before reflection). Use the part of drawing you have drawn in Problem (1.1a).
(b) Calculate how much time does Bob record when light pulse goes from source to mirror (just
before reflection). Use the part of drawing you have drawn in Problem (1.1b).
(c) Can you link these two answers using time dilation?
1.5. For the situation mentioned in Problem (1.2),
(a) Calculate how much time does Alice record when light pulse travels from source to mirror
(just before reflection). Use the part of drawing you have drawn in Problem (1.2a).
(b) Calculate how much time does Bob record when light pulse travels from source to mirror
(just before reflection). Use the part of drawing you have drawn in Problem (1.2b).
(c) Can you link these two answers using time dilation?
1.6. If the total energy of a proton is three times its rest energy, what is the speed of the proton?
1.7. A rod of proper length L0 moves with speed v along the horizontal direction with respect to a
person on ground. The rod makes an angle θ0 with respect to the x-axis.
Determine the length of the rod as measured by the observer on ground.
Determine the angle θ the rod makes with the horizontal.
3c
1.8. A particle moving with speed can travel a maximum distance 2km as seen from the lab. What
5
is the proper lifetime of the particle?
1.9. The period of a pendulum is measured to be 3.00s in the reference frame of the pendulum. What
is the period when measured by an observer moving at a speed of 0.960c relative to the pendulum?
1.10. The proper lifetime of a particle is 5nsec. Calculate the distance travelled by the particle before
it decays in the lab, where its lifetime is 10 nsec.
1.11. A woman on a rocket travelling at 0.51c(with respect to earth) observes a meteor come from
behind and pass her at 0.49c. How fast is the meteor moving with respect to earth?
1.12. Spacecraft Alpha is moving at 0.9c with respect to the earth. If spacecraft Beta is to pass Alpha
at a relative speed of 0.5c in the same direction, what speed must Beta have with respect to the
earth?
1.13. Two spaceships approach each other, each moving with the same speed as measured by a sta-
tionary observer on the Earth. Their relative speed is 0.70c. Determine the velocities of each
spaceship as measured by the stationary observer on Earth.
3
1.14. A stationary observer on Earth observes spaceships A and B moving in the same direction toward
the Earth. Spaceship A has speed 0.5c and spaceship B has speed 0.80c. Determine the velocity
of spaceship A as measured by an observer at rest in spaceship B.
1.15. As seen from Earth, two spaceships A and B are approaching along perpendicular directions, ie,
A is observed by a stationary Earth observer to have speed along y-axis uy = 0.90c and B to have
speed along x-axis ux = 0.90c. Determine the speed of ship A as measured by the pilot of ship B.
Note: Some problems are taken from following references:
References
[1] A. Ghatak, Optics (McGraw Hill Education, India, 2017).
[2] R. A. Serway and J. W. Jewett, Physics for Scientists and Engineers (Thomson Brooks, Cole,
2014).