Relativity: Calculating Separation r' between Emission and Reception

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the separation r' between the emission and reception of a light pulse in the context of special relativity, specifically considering a moving reference frame with a velocity expressed as v = βc. The original poster presents an equation relating the positions in different frames and notes a discrepancy with the book's answer.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of spacetime coordinates and Lorentz transformations to analyze the problem. There is a mention of length contraction and its applicability, as well as a reference to the Doppler effect in relation to time calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of spacetime coordinates and transformations, while there is still uncertainty about the correct application of concepts like length contraction and the Doppler effect.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted discrepancy between the original poster's calculations and the book's answer, specifically regarding the signs in the operations. Participants are questioning the assumptions related to the timing of emission and reception events.

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Homework Statement



A light pulse is emitted at a position [tex]x_{A}[/tex] (horizontally) and is received at position [tex]x_{B} = x_{A} + r[/tex]. Considering that [tex]v = \beta c[/tex] for a moving reference frame, I must calculate the separation [tex]r'[/tex] between the point of emission and reception.

Homework Equations



[tex]x_{B} - x_{A} = \gamma(x_{B}' - x_{A}')[/tex]



The Attempt at a Solution



I used the above equation, solving for [tex]x_{B}' - x_{A}'[/tex], but the answer provided by the book gives me an answer that differs from mine by a few operation signs. But I cannot think how they got it.
 
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Try writing down the spacetime coordinates in the rest frame for when the pulse is emitted and when it's received. Then use the Lorentz transformations to calculate the coordinates in the moving frame.
 
This is precisely what I have written above:

[tex]l_{moving} = \frac{l_{rest}}{\gamma}[/tex]
 
No, it isn't. That's the formula for length contraction, which isn't applicable for this problem because the emission and reception occur at different times.
 
Okay, for the time:

[tex]t_{2} = t_{1}'\sqrt{\frac{1 - \beta}{1 + \beta}}[/tex]

Essentially, this is the doppler effect.

Can I rewrite the times in terms of [tex]l[/tex] and [tex]l'[/tex] to get the answer I want?
 

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