Light hours special relativity time dilation

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating time dilation for a spacecraft traveling to Planet R, which is 20 light hours away, taking 25 hours from an Earth observer's perspective. The time dilation formula is applied, requiring the speed of the spacecraft to be expressed as a fraction of the speed of light (v/c). Participants note a typo in the distance and emphasize that the time experienced by the spacecraft will be less than that experienced by the Earth observer. The correct approach involves determining the speed to accurately apply the time dilation equation. Understanding these concepts is crucial for solving the problem correctly.
adamaero
Messages
109
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


http://phy240.ahepl.org/Chp1-Relativity-Serway.pdf#page=39
#32
Planet R is 25 lighthours away from Earth. It takes 25 h (according to an Earth observer) for a spacecraft to reach this planet. The clocks are synchronized at the beginning. What is the spacecraft 's time (from their frame of reference)?

Homework Equations


Time dilation
{{math|Δ''t''}}:
:<math>\Delta t' = \frac{\Delta t}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}</math>

The Attempt at a Solution



25/√[ 1 - ((20/c)/c)2] = 25

I think this is wrong because I don't know how to convert to speed without light. Also do I need to have everything in m/s?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Firstly, you have a typo copying the question: the planet is 20 light hours away, not 25.
You need to express the speed only as a fraction of the speed of light, to get v/c and hence determine the time dilation factor. This question selects a very simple case.
You then need to think about which way round to use the time dilation formula. As a sanity check, the time shown by a clock on board the spacecraft will be running more slowly than the Earth observer's time.
 
  • Like
Likes BvU
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 hanged 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...

Similar threads

Replies
21
Views
5K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
22
Views
968
Replies
40
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Back
Top