Suppose an astronaut is in the Space Shuttle in orbit around Earth at a speed of 7 km/s, and at some particular time the direction of travel is straight toward the Sun. The speed of light in a vacuum is 300,000 km/s. What speed will the astronaut measure for light from the Sun?
A) 300,007 km/s because the speed is added to that of the light
B) 300,014 km/s because the speed is added to that of the light, and relativistic contraction has shortened the meterstick used in the measurement of the speed of the light
C) 300,007 km/s because relativistic contraction has shortened the meterstick with which is measured the distance traveled by the light in order to measure its speed
D) 300,000 km/s

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the theory of relativity, the speed of light in a vacuum is always measured as the same value, 300,000 km/s, regardless of the motion of the source or the observer.

Suppose an Astronaut Is in the Space Shuttle in Orbit