A rocket is moving to the right at half the speed of light relative to the earth
ID: 2037615 • Letter: A
Question
A rocket is moving to the right at half the speed of light relative to the earth. A lightbulb in the center of a room inside the rocket suddenly turns on. Call the light hitting the front end of the room event A and the light hitting the back of the room event B. (See the figure.)(Figure 1)
Part A
Which event occurs first, A or B, or are they simultaneous, as viewed by an astronaut riding in the rocket.
Please Choose
A
B
They are simultaneous.
Part B
Which event occurs first, A or B, or are they simultaneous, as viewed by a person at rest on the earth?
A
B
They are simultaneous.
A rocket is moving to the right at half the speed of light relative to the earth. A lightbulb in the center of a room inside the rocket suddenly turns on. Call the light hitting the front end of the room event A and the light hitting the back of the room event B. (See the figure.)(Figure 1)
Part A
Which event occurs first, A or B, or are they simultaneous, as viewed by an astronaut riding in the rocket.
Please Choose
A
B
They are simultaneous.
Part B
Which event occurs first, A or B, or are they simultaneous, as viewed by a person at rest on the earth?
A
B
They are simultaneous.
Explanation / Answer
Both events occur simultaneously for both the observer,weather it's astronaut riding in the rocket or person at rest on earth. Since, speed of light is independent of frame of reference. Although for a person on earth, rocket length appears to be contracted due to length contraction but light bulb will still be there at center.
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