Flashing light beacon from Earth reaching spaceship moving away at 0.75c

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem in kinematics related to the timing of light flashes emitted from Earth and their reception by a spaceship moving away at a significant fraction of the speed of light (0.75c). The focus is on calculating the time intervals at which these flashes reach the spaceship.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of kinematics to determine the timing of the flashes without invoking relativity. There is mention of using a diagram, specifically a Minkowski diagram, to illustrate the relationship between time and distance for the emitted flashes.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the problem through kinematic principles. Some guidance has been provided regarding the use of diagrams to aid understanding, but there is no explicit consensus on the approach or final interpretation of the problem.

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Participants are reminded of forum rules requiring them to share their efforts in order to receive help, which may influence the depth of the discussion.

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Homework Statement
You are on a spacecraft traveling away from the earth at 0.75 c. A beacon on earth flashes exactly once per second.

From the point of view of a person on earth, what is the time between one flash reaching your ship and the next?
Answer- 4 seconds
From your point of view, what is the time between one flash reaching your ship and the next?
Answer 2.6 seconds

No matter how I solve it I do not get the answers mastering physics says are correct. Any ideas?
Relevant Equations
Speed of light constant 3x10^8
Below
IMG_2838.jpeg
 
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IMG_2841.jpeg
 
IMG_2841.jpeg
 
neelbansal123 said:
Part A asks about the earth time of the flashes reaching your ship.
You don't need relativity to answer it. Just kinematics.
 
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Hill said:
You don't need relativity to answer it. Just kinematics.
What might help is a diagram (see Minkowski diagram) like this:

1712831602606.png

(everything in seconds):
Flash emitted at earth t=0 has ##x = ct##,
Flash emitted at earth t=1 reaches ship at t=4,
Flash emitted at earth t=2 arrives at t=8 etc.

##\ ##
 
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