- #1
timetraveller123
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Homework Statement
The rockets of the Goths and the Huns are each 1000 m long in their respective rest frame. The rockets pass each other, virtually touching, at relative speed of 0.8 c. The Huns have a laser cannon at the rear of their rocket that shoots a deadly laser beam at right angles to the motion. The captain of the Hun rocket wants to send a threatening message to the Goths by “firing a shot across their bow.” He tells his first mate, “The Goths rocket is length contracted to 600 m. Fire the laser cannon at the instant the nose of our rocket passes the tail of their rocket. The laser beam will cross 400 m in front of them.” But things are different from the Goths’perspective. The Goth captain muses, “The Huns’ rocket is length contracted to 600 m, 400 m shorter than our rocket. If they fire the laser cannon as their nose passes the tail of our rocket, the lethal laser blast will go right through our side.”The first mate on the Hun rocket fires as ordered. Does the laser beam blast the Goths or not? Resolve this paradox. Show that, when properly analyzed, the Goths and the Huns agree on the outcome. Your analysis should contain both quantitative calculations and written explanation.
while i understand the question i fail to realize how to work out the problem from an inertial frame of
reference
Homework Equations
L = Lo /ϒ
where
ϒ = 1/√(1 - V^2 / C^2)
t = to ϒ
The Attempt at a Solution
i need some help in transferring the frame of reference to inertial one please and then i will be more than happy to work out the problem please thanks!