A stationary observer Bob, observes Alice take 5 seconds to travel from point A to B at 0.95c. How much time does Alice measure the journey from A to B to take?

This question is all about the application of Special Relativity. In order to solve this problem we need to identify that the correct equation to use here is:t= (gamma factor)t0Where t is the time observed by Bob, t0 is the time observed by Alice and the gamma factor = 1/Sqrt(1-(v2/c2)We need to rearrange the equation for t0, giving t0=t/(gamma factor) t0= t(Sqrt(1-(v2/c2))Subsituting t =5 s, v = 0.95c, we obtain:t0=(5 s)(Sqrt(1-0.952))t0 = 1.56 s

ER
Answered by Elizabeth R. Physics tutor

3266 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A fluorescent light uses a lining to emit visible light, explain why this is necessary and how it works.


A ball with radius 10cm is filled with an ideal gas at pressure 2*(10)^5Pa and temperature 300K. The volume of the gas is changed at constant pressure so that the radius of the ball is reduced with 1cm. Find the amount of gas and the new temperature


What is gravitational potential and how can gravitational potential energy be used to estimate the escape velocity of a planet of mass m and radius r?


A cart starts at rest and moves freely down a ramp without friction or air resistance and descends 8 meters vertically, what is its speed at the bottom?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning