How does time dilation affect the perception of light speed in a moving plane?

In summary, if a plane is moving at a constant speed of 300m/s and a light is shone towards the back of the plane, from the Earth's frame of reference, the light will appear to move at the same speed for someone inside the plane and someone standing on the ground. However, due to time dilation and length contraction, the person on the ground will see the event happen faster as the movement of the plane makes the light reach the back of the plane sooner.
  • #1
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Homework Statement


A plane is moving at a constant speed of 300m/s. If you are inside and you shine a light towards the back of the plane, how will light appear to move from the Earth's frame of reference?

Homework Equations



None

The Attempt at a Solution


Light always moves at 3x10^8 m/s so it would appear to be moving at the same speed for somebody inside the plane and somebody standing on the ground.

I just have a question about time dilation. Which person will see the event happen the fastest? Because to me it would seem that the light would hit the back of the plane fastest to somebody on the ground. This is because once the light is fired, the back of the plane is moving towards the light beam for somebody on earth.
 
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  • #2
The movement of the plane relative to the Earth does tend to make the light hit the back of the plane sooner in the Earth frame. Another factor that comes into play is length contraction. How would this influence the result?
 

Related to How does time dilation affect the perception of light speed in a moving plane?

What is time dilation?

Time dilation is a phenomenon in which time appears to pass at different rates for objects that are moving at different speeds. It is a consequence of Einstein's theory of relativity.

How does time dilation occur?

Time dilation occurs because of the relationship between time and space. As an object's speed increases, time slows down for that object relative to a stationary observer. This is because the faster an object moves, the more space it occupies, and the less time it experiences.

What are some examples of time dilation?

One example of time dilation is the behavior of atomic clocks on GPS satellites. Due to their high speeds, the clocks on the satellites experience time dilation, causing them to run slightly slower than clocks on Earth. This difference must be accounted for in order for GPS systems to function accurately.

Is time dilation real?

Yes, time dilation is a proven phenomenon that has been observed and measured in various experiments. It is an important concept in modern physics and has numerous applications in fields such as space travel and satellite technology.

Can time dilation be reversed?

No, time dilation is a fundamental aspect of the universe and cannot be reversed. However, it can be counteracted by other factors, such as gravitational forces, which can either increase or decrease the effects of time dilation.

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