Page 1 of 114
Solution Manual for Physics for Scientists &
Engineers with Modern Physics, Global Edition
(Pearson, 2024) Volume 3, 5th edition Isbn:
9781292440354 Douglas C. Giancoli Chapters
36 - 44.
1. Which of the following is a consequence of Einstein’s
second postulate of special relativity?
A) The speed of light depends on the speed of the source.
B) The speed of light depends on the speed of the observer.
C) The speed of light in free space is the same for all inertial
observers.
D) The laws of physics are different in different inertial frames.
✅ Answer: C
,Page 2 of 114
Rationale: Einstein’s second postulate states that the speed of
light in a vacuum is independent of the motion of the source or
observer. It is a universal constant (c) in all inertial frames.
2. A spacecraft moving at 0.80c relative to Earth emits a light
pulse toward the front of the ship. An observer on Earth
measures the speed of this light pulse as:
A) 0.20c B) 0.80c C) 1.00c D) 1.80c
✅ Answer: C
Rationale: According to the constancy of the speed of light, the
light pulse travels at c in any inertial reference frame, regardless
of the motion of the source.
3. According to the Michelson-Morley experiment, the
expected fringe shift due to Earth’s motion through the
hypothetical “ether” was:
,Page 3 of 114
A) Large and easily measurable B) Zero C) Too small to
measure D) Infinite
✅ Answer: B (none observed)
Rationale: The Michelson-Morley experiment found no
measurable fringe shift, leading to the conclusion that the ether
does not exist and that the speed of light is independent of the
motion of the Earth.
4. The proper time interval between two events is measured
by a clock that:
A) Is at rest in the Earth frame B) Is moving at high speed C) Is
present at both events D) Is synchronized with another clock
✅ Answer: C
Rationale: Proper time is the time interval measured by a single
clock that is present at both events (i.e., in the rest frame of the
events).
, Page 4 of 114
5. A clock on a spaceship moving at 0.90c ticks every 1.0 s
(proper time). An observer on Earth sees this clock tick every:
A) 0.44 s B) 0.90 s C) 1.0 s D) 2.29 s
✅ Answer: D
Rationale: Time
dilation: Δt=Δt0/1−v2/c2=1.0/1−0.902=1.0/0.4359=2.29 sΔt
=Δt0/1−v2/c2=1.0/1−0.902=1.0/0.4359=2.29 s.
6. A meter stick moving parallel to its length at 0.80c appears
to an observer at rest to have a length of:
A) 0.20 m B) 0.60 m C) 0.80 m D) 1.00 m
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Length
contraction: L=L01−v2/c2=1.0×1−0.802=1.0×0.60=0.60 mL=
L01−v2/c2=1.0×1−0.802=1.0×0.60=0.60 m.
Solution Manual for Physics for Scientists &
Engineers with Modern Physics, Global Edition
(Pearson, 2024) Volume 3, 5th edition Isbn:
9781292440354 Douglas C. Giancoli Chapters
36 - 44.
1. Which of the following is a consequence of Einstein’s
second postulate of special relativity?
A) The speed of light depends on the speed of the source.
B) The speed of light depends on the speed of the observer.
C) The speed of light in free space is the same for all inertial
observers.
D) The laws of physics are different in different inertial frames.
✅ Answer: C
,Page 2 of 114
Rationale: Einstein’s second postulate states that the speed of
light in a vacuum is independent of the motion of the source or
observer. It is a universal constant (c) in all inertial frames.
2. A spacecraft moving at 0.80c relative to Earth emits a light
pulse toward the front of the ship. An observer on Earth
measures the speed of this light pulse as:
A) 0.20c B) 0.80c C) 1.00c D) 1.80c
✅ Answer: C
Rationale: According to the constancy of the speed of light, the
light pulse travels at c in any inertial reference frame, regardless
of the motion of the source.
3. According to the Michelson-Morley experiment, the
expected fringe shift due to Earth’s motion through the
hypothetical “ether” was:
,Page 3 of 114
A) Large and easily measurable B) Zero C) Too small to
measure D) Infinite
✅ Answer: B (none observed)
Rationale: The Michelson-Morley experiment found no
measurable fringe shift, leading to the conclusion that the ether
does not exist and that the speed of light is independent of the
motion of the Earth.
4. The proper time interval between two events is measured
by a clock that:
A) Is at rest in the Earth frame B) Is moving at high speed C) Is
present at both events D) Is synchronized with another clock
✅ Answer: C
Rationale: Proper time is the time interval measured by a single
clock that is present at both events (i.e., in the rest frame of the
events).
, Page 4 of 114
5. A clock on a spaceship moving at 0.90c ticks every 1.0 s
(proper time). An observer on Earth sees this clock tick every:
A) 0.44 s B) 0.90 s C) 1.0 s D) 2.29 s
✅ Answer: D
Rationale: Time
dilation: Δt=Δt0/1−v2/c2=1.0/1−0.902=1.0/0.4359=2.29 sΔt
=Δt0/1−v2/c2=1.0/1−0.902=1.0/0.4359=2.29 s.
6. A meter stick moving parallel to its length at 0.80c appears
to an observer at rest to have a length of:
A) 0.20 m B) 0.60 m C) 0.80 m D) 1.00 m
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Length
contraction: L=L01−v2/c2=1.0×1−0.802=1.0×0.60=0.60 mL=
L01−v2/c2=1.0×1−0.802=1.0×0.60=0.60 m.
