Problems for Principle of Equivalence and Tides
Problem 2.1:
A rocket taking off from the earth is accelerating straight upwards at
6.6 m/sec
2. How long will it take an apple of 0.2 kilograms to hit the floor
of the rocket if it is dropped from a height of 1.5 meters?
[Solution]
Problem 2.2:
If you measure the speed of light on earth, will the result be the same as of
you measured it in interstellar space, far from any gravitational fields?
[Solution]
Problem 2.3:
If wood was found to fall at a different rate to plastic (
ie. gwoodgplastic ), what would be the consequences for the principle of
equivalence?
[Solution]
Problem 2.4:
A mass
M is at the origin. Two masses
m are at points
(R, 0) and
(R + x, 0) where
x < < R. What is the difference in the gravitational
force on the two masses? This is the longitudinal tidal force. (Hint:
make some approximations)
[Solution]
Problem 2.5:
Again, a mass
M is at the origin. Now, two masses are at
(R, 0) and
(R, y), where
y < < R. What is the difference in the gravitational
force on the two masses, and what is its effect? This is the
transverse tidal force.
[Solution]
gplastic ), what would be the consequences for the principle of
equivalence?
[Solution]
