/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 7 Suppose your handheld calculator... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Suppose your handheld calculator will show six places beyond the decimal point. How fast (in meters per second) would an object have to be traveling so that the decimal places in the value of \(\gamma\) can actually be seen on your calculator display? That is, how fast should an object travel so that \(\gamma=1.000001 ?\) [Hint: Use the binomial approximation.]

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: An object must travel around \(1.34 × 10^6\) meters per second.

Step by step solution

01

Write down the given equation

We're given the equation using the binomial approximation: $$\gamma \approx 1 - \frac{1}{2}\frac{v^2}{c^2}$$ And we know that \(\gamma = 1.000001\). Let's substitute this value in our equation.
02

Substitute the given value of \(\gamma\)

Substituting \(\gamma = 1.000001\) in the equation, we have: $$1.000001 \approx 1 - \frac{1}{2}\frac{v^2}{c^2}$$ Now we need to solve the equation for the speed, v.
03

Solve the equation for the speed, v

Solving the equation for v, we get: $$1.000001 - 1 = - \frac{1}{2} \frac{v^2}{c^2}$$ $$0.000001 = \frac{1}{2} \frac{v^2}{c^2}$$ Now, we'll multiply both sides by 2 and by \(c^2\): $$2(0.000001)(c^2) = v^2$$ Then take the square root of both sides to find v: $$v = \sqrt{2(0.000001)(c^2)} $$
04

Substitute c and find v

Substituting the speed of light c (\(3.0 × 10^8\) m/s), we get: $$v = \sqrt{2(0.000001)\left(3.0 × 10^8\right)^2}$$ $$v \approx \sqrt{1.8 × 10^{12}}$$ $$v \approx 1.34 × 10^6 \text{ m/s}$$ So, an object must travel around \(1.34 × 10^6\) meters per second for the decimal places in the value of \(\gamma\) to be visible on a calculator display with six decimal places using the binomial approximation.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

A plane trip lasts \(8.0 \mathrm{h} ;\) the average speed of the plane during the flight relative to Earth is \(220 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\). What is the time difference between an atomic clock on board the plane and one on the ground, assuming they were synchronized before the flight? (Ignore general relativistic complications due to gravity and the acceleration of the plane.)
Refer to Example \(26.2 .\) One million muons are moving toward the ground at speed \(0.9950 c\) from an altitude of \(4500 \mathrm{m} .\) In the frame of reference of an observer on the ground, what are (a) the distance traveled by the muons; (b) the time of flight of the muons; (c) the time interval during which half of the muons decay; and (d) the number of muons that survive to reach sea level. [Hint: The answers to (a) to (c) are not the same as the corresponding quantities in the muons' reference frame. Is the answer to (d) the same?]
Radon decays as follows: $^{222} \mathrm{Rn} \rightarrow^{218} \mathrm{Po}+\alpha .$ The mass of the radon-222 nucleus is 221.97039 u, the mass of the polonium- 218 nucleus is \(217.96289 \mathrm{u},\) and the mass of the alpha particle is 4.00151 u. How much energy is released in the decay? \(\left(1 \mathrm{u}=931.494 \mathrm{MeV} / \mathrm{c}^{2} .\right)\)
Two spaceships are moving directly toward one another with a relative velocity of \(0.90 c .\) If an astronaut measures the length of his own spaceship to be \(30.0 \mathrm{m},\) how long is the spaceship as measured by an astronaut in the other ship?
An astronaut wears a new Rolex watch on a journey at a speed of $2.0 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}$ with respect to Earth. According to mission control in Houston, the trip lasts \(12.0 \mathrm{h}\). How long is the trip as measured on the Rolex?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.