Suppose you're traveling on a space ship at 9/10 the speed of light (.9c). You have a high-powered rifle that shoots bullets at the same speed. Suppose you shoot the bullet perpendicular to your direction of travel.

It appears that the bullet would travel at a 45-degree angle (northeast, if the ship is traveling north and the bullet is shot eastward), at about 1.2728c which is faster than light. Why is this wrong, and what would the actual speed and direction be?

(In reply to Not so complicated by Mike)

So, explain why i cant understand this problem please if someone can explain to me how to get this problem maybe i can understand ... why i dont get it ...

 

Posted by Mike on 2005-05-05 03:15:38