How Does Time Dilation Affect Signal Reception from a Fast-Moving Spaceship?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the time interval between two light signals emitted from a spaceship traveling at 0.866c. The first signal is emitted, followed by a second signal 4 seconds later, as measured on the spaceship. The initial calculation using Lorentz transformation yields a time interval of 14 seconds for the signals' arrival on Earth, while the expected answer is 15 seconds. A key point raised is the need to account for the spaceship's continued movement during the 4 seconds, which affects the timing of the second signal's reception. Clarification on the application of Lorentz transformation and the effects of relative motion is sought to resolve the discrepancy.
Huy
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


We observe a spaceship moving away from the Earth at a velocity of v = 0.866c. The spaceship emits two light signals, the second one 4 seconds (Delta T') after the first one (measured on board). What is the time interval (Delta T) between the arrival of the two light signals on earth?

Homework Equations


Time dilation, Lorentz contraction, Lorentz transformation, invariance of space-time

The Attempt at a Solution


I basically applied Lorentz transformation: www.i.imgur.com/ylfOJ.jpg (please copy & paste, I can't include a link in my first ten posts...)
However, using my approach I arrive at Delta T = 14s, whereas the solution says it should be 15s. I hope my writing is readable and I'm sorry I didn't know whether this belongs to intro- or advanced physics, the educational system in my country differs from the U.S.' a lot...

Thanks for any help in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
did you factor in that the spaceship has moved further away in four seconds? This would delay the second signal a bit more.
 
I'm pretty sure I did, because basically, what I am doing in my solution is applying the Lorentz transformation to the inertial system of the spaceship which is moving away with constant velocity.
 
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