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PH24101 / Tutorial Questions - Module 3: Special Theory of Relativity

(Dated: October 17, 2024)

We begin with clearly highlighting various (sub-)sections of the textbook which spans our
syllabus for this module on physical optics.
Further, we present some of the benchmark question, mostly numerical, from Module II
to be discussed in the tutorials. All the questions not marked by [!] are based directly on the
classroom discussions. It is expected that the students will solve these questions on their
own, or in groups before the tutorial(s). At the same time, questions similar to the ones
contained herein are likely to be asked in your exams. However, note that (i) same questions
should NOT be expected in the exams, (ii) numerical questions beyond these could also be
asked in the exams. In other words, this document is NOT a question bank of any kind.
Therefore, one should aim to understand the underlying concepts well.

All corrections, comments, or suggestion should be emailed to r.ray@bitmesra.ac.in.

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Topics

TABLE I. Based on the book Concepts of Modern Physics by Arthur Beiser, McGraw Hill International
Edition (1987) (Fourth Ed., ISBN: 0-07-004473).

Topic Relevant (sub-)section from book

Introduction, Inertial frame of reference, Galilean Sec 1.1

transformations
Postulates Sec 1.1
Lorentz transformations and its conclusions Sec 1.10
Length contraction Sec 1.4
Time dilation Sec 1.2
Velocity addition Sec 1.11
Mass change Sec 1.7
Einstein’s mass energy relation Sec 1.8
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1. At what speed does a clock move if it runs at a rate which is one-half the rate of a clock at
rest?

Comment: The above indicates that the time interval ∆t measured by observers at rest in S
is larger than the time interval ∆t′ measured by an observer at rest with respect to the clock.
That is, “moving clocks run slow”.
It is important to note that this also relates clock readings on a single clock in S’ with clock
readings on two separate clocks in S.
“Moving clocks run slow” is illustrated by the LIght Pulse Clock. For this clock, a light pulse
is directed along the positive y ′ axis and reflected back to its starting point. The traversal
time is recorded as ∆t′ . In S, the clock moves along the positive x axis with speed v. A
stationary observer records the time the light pulse starts and a second stationary observer,
farther to the right along the x axis, records the time when the light pulse returns to its
starting point. This traversal time is recorded as ∆t. Because of the sideways motion, the
light pulse travels farther in S than in S’. Since the speed of light is the same in both frames,
it follows that the ∆t is larger than ∆t′ The moving clock runs slow.

2. Similarly, one could ask: At what speed does a meter stick move if its length is observed to
shrink to 0.5 m?

Comment: It is important to note that, in this case, we compare an actual length measure-
ment in S’ (a proper length) with a length measurement determined at equal times on two
separate clocks in S.

3. The average lifetime of a π meson in its own frame of reference is 26.0 ns. (This is its proper
lifetime.)

• If the π meson moves with speed 0.95c with respect to the Earth, what is its lifetime
as measured by an observer at rest on Earth?

• What is the average distance it travels before decaying as measured by an observer at

rest on Earth?

4. An atomic clock is placed in a jet airplane. The clock measures a time interval of 3600 s
when the jet moves with speed 400 m/s. How much larger a time interval does an identical
clock held by an observer at rest on the ground measure?
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5. The muon is an unstable particle that spontaneously decays into an electron and two neutri-
nos. If the number of muons at t = 0 is N0 , the number N at time t is N = N0 e−t/τ , where
τ = 2.20 µs is the mean lifetime of the muon. Suppose the muons move at speed 0.95c.

• What is the observed lifetime of the muons?

• How many muons remain after traveling a distance of 3.0 km?

6. A spaceship flies past earth at a speed 0.990c. A crew member on board the spaceship
measures its length, obtaining the value 400m. What length do observes measure on earth?

7. A spacecraft of the ISRO flies past the planet Coruscant at a speed of 0.600c. A scientist
on Coruscant measures the length of the moving spacecraft to be 74.0 m. The spacecraft
later lands on Coruscant, and the same scientist measures the length of the now stationary
spacecraft. What value does she get?

8. A rod of length L0 moves with speed v along the horizontal direction. The rod makes an
angle θ0 with respect to the x′ axis.

• Determine the length of the rod as measured by a stationary observer.

• Determine the angle θ the rod makes with the x axis

9. Two spaceships approach each other, each moving with the same speed as measured by a
stationary observer on the Earth. Their relative speed is 0.70c, Determine the velocities of
each spaceship as measured by the stationary observer on Earth.

10. 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.

11. The motion of a medium such as water influences the speed of light. This effect was first
observed by Fizeau in 1851.
Consider a light beam passing through a horizontal column of water moving with velocity v.

• Determine the speed u of the light measured in the lab frame when the beam travels
in the same direction as the flow of the water.

• Determine an approximation to this expression valid when v is small.

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12. As seen from Earth, two spaceships A and B are approaching along perpendicular directions.
If A is observed by a stationary Earth observer to have velocity uA
y = −0.90c and B to have

velocity uB
x = +0.90c, determine the speed of ship A as measured by the pilot of ship B.

13. A man has a mass of 100 kg on the ground. When he is in a spacecraft in flight, his mass is
101 kg as determined by an observer on the ground. What is the speed of the spacecraft?

14. Find the mass of an electron (m0 = 9.1 × 10−31 kg) whose velocity is 0.99c.

15. A stationary body explodes into two fragments of rest mass 1 kg that move apart at speeds
of 0.6c. Find the rest mass of the original body.

Comment: Concluding remarks. As you may recall from discussions/class and some of
you may also have noted by now, that the key aspect of understanding the implication of
Einsteinian Relativity is the identification of the frames S and S’. One has to observe some
care: distinguish the rest frame of the object, rest frame on the ground and how might a
measurement be made. Once this particular aspect is clear, subsequent application of the
Lorentz transformations (space-time +velocities + mass/energy) is rather straight-forward.
The above examples will guide and hopefully adept you in this regard.

16. Outline the fundamental difference(s) between Galilean and Einsteinian relativity.

17. Transformation laws in E.R. (and G.R.).

18. Derivation of mass-energy equivalence.