Light is NOT constant relative to the source.

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the calculation of light travel time from two sources, A1 and A2, to Earth, considering their motion. The initial expectation is that light from A1 would take time d/u-c, while light from A2 would take a longer time due to the star's rotation, leading to a proposed difference in travel times. However, a correction is suggested that for A1, the correct formula should be d/(u+c) since the star is moving towards Earth. This adjustment aligns with the expected difference in travel times as outlined in the original text. The conversation highlights the complexities of light travel in relation to moving sources.
glover_m
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Homework Statement



earth.jpg


Homework Equations



How do you come up with 2ud/(c^2-u^2)

The Attempt at a Solution



Here's my issue with this problem: I would expect that for the light from A1 to reach Earth it would be d/u-c, and the time for the light of A2 to reach Earth would be d/u-c + T/2 = d/(u-c)
+ pir/u

Therefore Delta A would be (pi)(radius)/u

This isn't the case however, am I missing something? Shouldn't the difference in times be equal to half the period of rotation?
 
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glover_m said:
Here's my issue with this problem: I would expect that for the light from A1 to reach Earth it would be d/u-c, and the time for the light of A2 to reach Earth would be d/u-c + T/2 = d/(u-c)
+ pir/u

shouldn't it be d/(u+c) from A1, since the star is moving towards the earth.
If you use that you get the difference from your text.
 
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