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Date May 2019 Marks available 1 Reference code 19M.3.SL.TZ1.3
Level Standard level Paper Paper 3 Time zone 1
Command term State Question number 3 Adapted from N/A

Question

A rocket moving with speed v relative to the ground emits a flash of light in the backward direction.

An observer in the rocket measures the speed of the flash of light to be c.

State the speed of the flash of light according to an observer on the ground using Galilean relativity.

[1]
a.

State the speed of the flash of light according to an observer on the ground using Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism.

[1]
b.

State the speed of the flash of light according to an observer on the ground using Einstein’s theory of relativity.

[1]
c.

Markscheme

c–v

a.

c

b.

c

c.

Examiners report

The speed of a flash of light from different viewpoints. Most of the prepared candidates well stated the speed of the flash using Galilean relativity, Maxwell’s theory and Einstein’s theory.

a.

The speed of a flash of light from different viewpoints. Most of the prepared candidates well stated the speed of the flash using Galilean relativity, Maxwell’s theory and Einstein’s theory.

b.

The speed of a flash of light from different viewpoints. Most of the prepared candidates well stated the speed of the flash using Galilean relativity, Maxwell’s theory and Einstein’s theory.

c.

Syllabus sections

Option A: Relativity » Option A: Relativity (Core topics) » A.1 – The beginnings of relativity
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Option A: Relativity » Option A: Relativity (Core topics)
Option A: Relativity

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