How to Calculate Positions of Observers Using Lorentz Transformation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of Lorentz transformations to calculate the positions of observers in different inertial frames. The original poster is attempting to understand how to relate the observations of two events occurring at the same location but at different times as perceived by two observers in different frames of reference.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster expresses confusion regarding the unknown speed (u) of the second observer (S') and how to proceed without this information. Some participants suggest that assuming a value for u is necessary, while others question the feasibility of making such an assumption given the problem constraints.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the implications of the given time differences for the events as observed by the two observers. There is a recognition that the lack of a specific value for u complicates the problem, and some guidance has been offered regarding the necessity of knowing this speed to proceed with the calculations.

Contextual Notes

The original poster is constrained by the information provided, which includes only the times for each observer and the fact that the events occur at the same location. The problem does not specify a value for the relative speed of the observers, which is central to applying the Lorentz transformation equations effectively.

mrjeffy321
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I cannot seem to figure out how to do this problem.

The situation is,
There are two events occurring a given time apart at the same location as seem by an observe in one frame (S). Another observer (S') sees these two events occurring at a differnent amount of time apart. I am trying to find the difference in posisitons of the two observers.

I know that,
x' = (x - ut) / sqrt(1 - u^2/c^2) = gamma*(x - ut)
t' = (t - ux/c^2) / sqrt(1 - u^2/c^2) = gamma*(t - ux/c^2)

But these two equations have too many unknowns for me. All I know are the two times for each observer and the fact that the events occur at the same spot. If I do not know the speed of the S' observer, how can I figure this out?
 
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You have to assume u is known ofcourse, since the answer depends on the speed of S' relative to S.
 
I am not given any value for u, only that the S' frame is moving relative the S.
It is not as if I can just assume a value for u, how can I get around this.
 
it must have something to do with the difference in time the events were seen...of course, since those were to only real numbers given to me (those and the speed of light).


[Only 3 hours left to figure this problem out].
 

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