Light hours special relativity time dilation

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating time dilation for a spacecraft traveling to Planet R, which is 20 light hours away from Earth. According to an Earth observer, the journey takes 25 hours. The time dilation formula used is Δt' = Δt / √(1 - v²/c²), where v is the speed of the spacecraft as a fraction of the speed of light (c). Participants clarify that the speed must be expressed as a fraction of c to accurately determine the time dilation effect experienced by the spacecraft's crew.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of special relativity concepts
  • Familiarity with the time dilation formula
  • Knowledge of light hours as a distance measurement
  • Ability to express speed as a fraction of the speed of light
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the time dilation formula in special relativity
  • Learn how to convert distances measured in light hours to speed as a fraction of c
  • Explore examples of time dilation in different relativistic scenarios
  • Investigate the implications of time dilation for long-distance space travel
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Students of physics, educators teaching special relativity, and anyone interested in the effects of relativistic speeds on time perception.

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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:
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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.
 
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