How Does Speed Affect Time for a Bomb Threat on a Spaceship?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a physics problem involving time dilation as described by the Lorentz transformation. A spaceship traveling at 0.1c accelerates to 0.7c after receiving a bomb threat, originally having 3 hours to find the bomb. The correct calculation using the Lorentz factor yields a new time of approximately 4.2 hours for the crew to locate the bomb. The key question raised is whether the bomb's timer is affected by the ship's speed, confirming that time dilation does not alter the perceived passage of time for the crew on board.

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  • Understanding of special relativity concepts
  • Familiarity with the Lorentz transformation
  • Knowledge of time dilation effects
  • Basic algebra for manipulating equations
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jupiter13
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Homework Statement


In the far future, a spaceship is traveling from Earth to Saturn at 0.1c when it receives a terrorist threat. The crew learns that a bomb will go off in 3 hours. To prolong this time, the captain accelerates the ship to 0.7c. How long do they have to find the bomb now?

Homework Equations


\Deltat'=\gamma\Deltat

The Attempt at a Solution


By manipulating the equation, I solved for \Deltat'
3/\sqrt{1-(0.7)^2}= 4.2 hours

Where did I go wrong? Was the Lorentz transform done correctly?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Is the bomb and its timer on board the ship? Does increasing your speed change the rate at which your clock runs as far as you are concerned?
 
I can't believe I fell for that...but thank you very much fo your help!
 

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