John will be moving for 71 years John is tied to a trolley t

John will be moving for 71 years. John is tied to a trolley that moves to the right at .95c. According to John, how far will he travel in that 71 years?

Solution

total distance moved = v t0

and using length contraction,

length will appear shorter for john by the factor of Y.

Y = 1 / sqrt[1 - (v/c)^2]

Y = 1/sqrt[1 - 0.95^2] = 3.2

d = v t0 / Y = (0.95 x c )(71 years) / (3.2)

       = 21.06 light years