First Year Special Relativity Question

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving two deep-space probes launched from planets A and B, which are 10 light years apart. The main question is whether there exists a reference frame where the events of the probes being launched are simultaneous and another where they occur at the same position. Participants note the relevance of time dilation and Lorentz transformations in solving the problem. One user expresses confusion about starting the problem without a known velocity, while another suggests that further study is needed before attempting the solution. The conversation highlights the complexity of applying special relativity concepts to the scenario.
NotAnAstrologer
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Planets A and B are 10 light years apart in the reference frame of planet A. A deep-space probe is launched from A, and 5 years later (in reference frame A) a similar probe is launched from B. Does a reference frame exist in which these two events (a) are simultaneous and (b) occur at the same position. *Note*: Parts (a) and (b) are separate from each other so, you have to find one reference frame where they are simultaneous and then another where they occur at the same position. Δx = 10 Ly, T@Event 1 = 0 years, T@Event 2 = 5 years.

Homework Equations


In the textbook this is part of the time dilation section so... Tb = γTa, Lorentz Transformations, s2 = (cΔt)2 - Δx2 ?

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried to solve it using the space-time interval but, I think it might have something to do with the Lorentz Transformations and Time Dilation equations.

Thanks for your help.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What exactly did you try? Show your work.
 
vela said:
What exactly did you try? Show your work.
Erased it or threw it out because I thought it was wrong. I still have the diagram I drew though and I wrote down all the givens. Tbh, the more I think about it the more lost I get. No idea where to start without a velocity.
 
Sounds like you need to do a bit more studying then before attempting this problem.
 
vela said:
Sounds like you need to do a bit more studying then before attempting this problem.
+1 on that.
 
Actually I think I figured it out. Ta = Tb, using this knowledge I'm using one of the Lorentz transformation equations to isolate for V.
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top