Question

As the meter stick in FIGURE Q36.8 flies past you, you simultaneously measure the positions of both ends and determine that $\mathrm{L}<1\mathrm{m}.$

a. To an experimenter in frame S′, the meter stick’s frame, did you make your two measurements simultaneously? If not, which end did you measure first? Explain.

b. Can experimenters in frame S′ give an explanation for why your measurement is less than 1 m.

Short answer

a. No, you measure left end first.

b. Yes, S' frame is rest frame. it is measure proper time and proper length.

Step-by-step solution

Part (a) Step 1: Given information

We have given,

length $<1\mathrm{m}$

We have to find the can we measure the both end of meter stick simultaneously.

Simplify

Since meter stick moving from left to right then the length covering from the left will be small as compare to the right one .

As it is moving from the left then it will measure the left end first.

Part (b) Step 1: Given information

We have given,

Meter stick length$<1\mathrm{m}$

We have to find why length is less than$1\mathrm{m}.$

Simplify

Since S' is rest frame then it will measure the proper length and proper time.

But we are in ground then for us it should be contracted length.