perplexus.info :: Science : Relativistic Bullet

Relativistic Bullet - perpendicular (Posted on 2005-01-17)

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?

See The Solution Submitted by Ken Haley

Rating: 4.5000 (6 votes)

Comments: ( You must be logged in to post comments.)

Subject	Author	Date
I think I have got it	gaurav the great	2005-07-09 15:41:21
re(2): Not so complicated	Ken Haley	2005-05-07 05:10:21
re: Not so complicated	Mike	2005-05-05 03:15:38
Not so complicated	Mike	2005-05-04 19:31:19
re: No Subject	Ken Haley	2005-05-02 05:42:41
No Subject	nilshady	2005-04-21 17:05:51
Another (simpler) solution	Jay Schamel	2005-01-20 09:57:48
re: Solution	Ken Haley	2005-01-19 06:11:57
Solution	Jay Schamel	2005-01-18 08:59:28
Second thoughts	TomM	2005-01-18 08:45:42
re(2): First thoughts.	TomM	2005-01-18 07:52:01
re: First thoughts.	Ken Haley	2005-01-18 05:33:58
First thoughts.	TomM	2005-01-18 01:20:30
Thought	np_rt	2005-01-18 01:03:13
half answer	Danny	2005-01-17 22:36:31

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