Question

A rocket is moving at 1/4 the speed of light relative to Earth. At the center of this rocket a light suddenly flashes. To an observer at rest in the rocket a. the light will reach the front of the rocket before it reaches the back of the rocket. b. the light will reach the front of the rocket at the same instant that it reaches the back of the rocket. c. the light will reach the front of the rocket after it reaches the back of the rocket.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is;

b. the light will reach the front of the rocket at the same instant that it reaches the back of the rocket.

Explanation:

The speed of light is an invariant. The speed of light is independent of the source or the observer, that is the speed of light does not depend on the speed of the source, or the speed of the observer, or the speed of the medium. The speed of light is constant, and as such the light will arrive at the back and front of the rocket at the same time.

Answer 2

Answer:

B. the light will reach the front of the rocket at the same instant that it reaches the back of the rocket.

Explanation:

To an observer at rest in the rocket who can't see either sides of the rocket, the speed of the light is constant which means the distance to the front or the back is same and would appear to reach the rocket at the same time.

Although from the point of view of the person on the earth, the front of the rocket is travelling in opposite direction of the light while the back of the rocket is moving closer to the light. This means that the distance travelled by the light going forward will be longer going backwards. And since the speed of light is constant in both directions, the light will reach the back of the rocket before it reaches the front  for the observer on the earth.