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Q:
Physicists routinely accelerate particles to about 99% of speed light. What if two particles travel at 99% of speed light, each in the opposite direction from the other. That would make them travel at a relative speed to each other of 1.98% of speed light, is that right?
- Iustin (age 21)
Los Angeles, CA, United States
A:
Nope. Each particle has its own set of space-time coordinates, not the same as the person in the lab uses. According to the very well-tested equations of special relativity, each particle sees the other go by at 1.98/(1+.99*.99) c. That’s 1.98/1.9801 or about 0.99995 c. Close but no cigar.
Mike W.
(published on 10/22/2007)
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