Q. 28

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Found in: Page 1060

### Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics

Book edition 4th
Author(s) Randall D. Knight
Pages 1240 pages
ISBN 9780133942651

# In the earth’s reference frame, a tree is at the origin and a pole is at km. Lightning strikes both the tree and the pole at . The lightning strikes are observed by a rocket traveling in the -direction at .a. What are the spacetime coordinates for these two events in the rocket’s reference frame?b. Are the events simultaneous in the rocket’s frame? If not, which occurs first?

See the step by step solution

## Part (a) Step 1: Given Information

We have given that in the earth’s reference frame, a tree is at the origin and a pole is at km.

Lightning strikes both the tree and the pole at .

The lightning strikes are observed by a rocket traveling in the -direction at .

We have to find the spacetime coordinates for these two events in the rocket’s reference frame.

## Part (a) Step 2: Simplify

: Ground frame.

: Rocker's frame.

In relation to , moves at a velocity of .

We have:

The Lorentz transformations were applied to the lightning strike at and ,

At km and , for lightning strike.

## Part (b) Step 1: Given Information

We have given that in the earth’s reference frame, a tree is at the origin and a pole is at .

Lightning strikes both the tree and the pole at .

The lightning strikes are observed by a rocket traveling in the -direction at .

We have to find the events are simultaneous in the rocket’s frame or not and if not then which occurs first.

## Part (b) Step 2: Simplify

The events in the frame of the rocket are not all happening at the same time. The lightning strikes the pole before the free.