- #1
Nisse
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I'm trying to work out how to use the Lorentz equations but so far I haven't been very successful. It would help if I had an example to let me know what I'm aiming for, so if someone would be kind enough to answer my questions about the fairly simple scenario below I would be very grateful.
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Two space stations A and B are 18.66 light minutes apart and at rest with respect to each other and to an independent observer O. All their clocks are synchronized.
At time T0, A sends a light pulse towards B, while B launches a ship at 0.866c towards A. Observer O should see the light pulse meet the ship after 10 minutes, 8.66 light minutes from B. The ship, of course, should see the light pulse approaching it at speed c.
When the ship meets the light pulse, it immediately (in its frame) decelerates and is at rest with respect to A, B and O.
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All of the following questions relate to the ship's reference frame.
1. At the point of its launch, how far does the ship regard the distance to A?
2. After 1 minute has elapsed, how far is the ship from B, and how far is the light pulse from A?
3. How much time has elapsed when the light pulse meets the ship, and how far is the ship from B at this point?
4. After the ship has stopped and is at rest with respect to O, how far from B does it find itself?
Apologies if these seem like daft questions, but any help is much appreciated!
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Two space stations A and B are 18.66 light minutes apart and at rest with respect to each other and to an independent observer O. All their clocks are synchronized.
At time T0, A sends a light pulse towards B, while B launches a ship at 0.866c towards A. Observer O should see the light pulse meet the ship after 10 minutes, 8.66 light minutes from B. The ship, of course, should see the light pulse approaching it at speed c.
When the ship meets the light pulse, it immediately (in its frame) decelerates and is at rest with respect to A, B and O.
-----------
All of the following questions relate to the ship's reference frame.
1. At the point of its launch, how far does the ship regard the distance to A?
2. After 1 minute has elapsed, how far is the ship from B, and how far is the light pulse from A?
3. How much time has elapsed when the light pulse meets the ship, and how far is the ship from B at this point?
4. After the ship has stopped and is at rest with respect to O, how far from B does it find itself?
Apologies if these seem like daft questions, but any help is much appreciated!