Help Solve Physics Problem: Lamp Moving at v=c/4

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a lamp emitting light while moving at a velocity of c/4, and it seeks to determine the angle of the cone in which the light is emitted from the perspective of a stationary observer. The context is rooted in concepts of light emission and relativistic effects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the direction of light emitted from a moving source and how it differs from a stationary source. Questions arise regarding the angle of light beams emitted perpendicular to the direction of motion and the implications of relativistic effects such as aberration.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the problem with some participants confirming aspects of the phenomenon of aberration. However, there is no explicit consensus on the correctness of the approaches being discussed, and some participants express uncertainty about the derived angle of 152 degrees.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the potential misunderstanding of the problem setup and the implications of the motion on light emission, indicating a need for clarification on the definitions and assumptions involved.

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Hello, I need help with this problem. In 2D we have a lamp that emits light in 360 degrees around itself while stationary. Than it starts moving at velocity of c/4 what is the degree of the cone in which the light now emits to ? I hope you understand, like the angle of the field where the light falls from the perspetive of observer who is stationary. I don't know how to solve it, does anebody know ?
IMG_20160426_215423.jpg

Thank you Radim
 
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Consider a photon emitted directly to the left when the source is stationary. In what direction will it travel when the source is moving?
 
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Light is still being emitted in all directions, with Doppler shifts.
 
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Yes you are correct, I misunderstood the problem, it made no sense to me that the light would not be emitted to the left from the stationary observers perspective. They are asking for angle of beams of photons that were emitted perpendicular on the vector of velocity (but they won´t be perpendicular while it is moving) The answer is supposed to be 152 degrees, but I don't know how they got this result.
 

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The phenomenon is called "aberration", and occurs in both Newtonian and relativistic physics. Google for relativistic aberration.
 
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IMG_20160427_005205.jpg

So could anyone confirm me that this approach is correct ?
 

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