Calculating Spatial Separation Using Lorentz Transforms: Homework Solution

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Homework Statement



Two events occur at the same place in a certain inertial frame and are separated by a time interval of 4 seconds. What is the spatial separation between these two events in an inertial frame in which the events are separated by a time interval of 6 seconds?

Homework Equations



Lorentz Transforms

The Attempt at a Solution



I really have no idea where to start. I know its not that hard I am just drawing a blank
 
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Mugen Prospec said:

Homework Statement



Two events occur at the same place in a certain inertial frame and are separated by a time interval of 4 seconds. What is the spatial separation between these two events in an inertial frame in which the events are separated by a time interval of 6 seconds?

Homework Equations



Lorentz Transforms

The Attempt at a Solution



I really have no idea where to start. I know its not that hard I am just drawing a blank

Hint: What quantity involving both time and position is invariant under Lorentz transforms?
 
I know the speed of light is invariant. The way I worked it was putting it through the Lorentz time transform solving for v. then put that v in the x Lorentz transform
 
Mugen Prospec said:
I know the speed of light is invariant. The way I worked it was putting it through the Lorentz time transform solving for v. then put that v in the x Lorentz transform

Sure, c is Lorentz invariant, but it doesn't invole time or position, so that doesn't help. What about the spacetime interval \delta s^2?
 
Could you give me maybe a walk through on how to find that or even the problem. I am really at a loss, I missed a week of classes because i was sick.
 
Mugen Prospec said:
Could you give me maybe a walk through on how to find that or even the problem. I am really at a loss, I missed a week of classes because i was sick.

I'm not here to teach a week of coursework. Read the section in your text that talks about spacetime intervals and then try the problem.
 

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