14.2.12∗. A rod parallel to the floor falls to the floor at a speed $\beta c$. At what angle does this rod fall to the floor in a reference frame that is moving parallel to the floor at speed $\beta_1c$?
Solution
Suppose the right endpoint of the rod is at $x=x'=0$,$y=y'=0$ at time $t=t'=0$ according to Observer $O$ on the floor and Observer $O'$ moving to the right with the speed $\beta_1c$ relative to the floor. According to Observer $O'$, who makes measurement of the rod at time $t'=0$, the left endpoint of the rod is at $x'=-L/\gamma$ (due to length contraction) and $y'$ to be determined, where $L$ is the length of the rod according to Observer $O$ and $\gamma=1/\sqrt{1-\beta_1^2}$. Observer $O$ records this left-endpoint event at time
and hence at $y=\beta\beta_1L$ (and $x=-L$), because the rod is moving downward with the speed $\beta c$. Since $y'=y$, Observer $O'$ witnesses the rod making an angle