A spaceship is 25 m wide and 100 m long. When traveling at 0.80 c (in a direction parallel to its length), what is its observed width?
A) 42 m
B) 25 m
C) 16 m
D) 15 m
E) 20 m

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The width of the spaceship does not change because length contraction only occurs in the direction of motion. Since the spaceship is moving parallel to its length, only the length would contract, not the width.

A Spaceship Is 25 M Wide and 100 M Long