A 10-meter-long spear is thrown at relativistic speeds through a 10-meter-long pipe. (Both these dimensions are measured when each is at rest.) When the spear passes through the pipe

A) the spear appears to shrink so the pipe completely covers it.
B) the pipe appears to shrink so the spear extends from both ends.
C) both appear to shrink equally so the pipe barely covers the spear.
D) any of these, depending on the motion of the observer (moving with the spear, at rest with the pipe, and so on).
E) none of the above


Answer: D

Physics & Space Science

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