Please explain the why behind the answer. :-) Here is the question: The Milleniu
ID: 1685704 • Letter: P
Question
Please explain the why behind the answer. :-) Here is the question:The Millenium Falcon is chased by the Imperial Forces. The ship is moving at a speed of 0.501c. Han Solo is shooting at the imperial fighters with his newly installed proton cannon purchased at the MSU Surplus Store. The cannon emits protons at a speed of 0.846c with respect to the ship. What is the velocity of the protons in the resting frame when the cannon is shot in the backward direction? (Use positive sign for the forward direction, and negative for the backward direction.)
Explanation / Answer
velocity the spaceship u = 0.501c velocity of the proton v = 0.846c velocity of the proton at rest frame up = [u+v]/ { 1+uv/c2 } according to Lorentz transformation. A) when canon is moving in forward direction then velocity of proton at rest frame is up = [u+v] / [1 + uv/c2 ] = [ 0.501 + 0.846 ] c / [ 1 + 0.501 * 0.846 } as c2 cancel each other = 0.946 c ...............ans b ) when canon is moving in backward direction then velocity of proton is u' = [ u - v ] / [ 1 - uv/c2 ] = [ .501 - .846 ] c / [ 1 - .501 * .846 c2 / c2 ] = - 0.599c { -ve sign indicate that proton moves in backward direction } ................................ans