Homework Help: Lorentz Transformation - Clock

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1. Jan 8, 2015

CGM

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Use the Lorentz Transformation equations to derive the formula relating the time period of a moving clock to that of a stationary clock
2. Relevant equations
X'=y(X-vt)
Y'=Y
Z'=Z
t'=y(t-vx/c^2)
3. The attempt at a solution
t'=1/sqrt(1-(v/c)^2) . (t-vx/c^2)

2. Jan 8, 2015

stevendaryl

Staff Emeritus
You're almost there. If the clock is at rest in the primed coordinate system, that means that its location as a function of time can be chosen to be $X' = 0$. So using the first equation from your "Relevant equations", you can solve for $x$ in terms of $t$. Plug that into your equation.

3. Jan 8, 2015

So, t'=yt?

4. Jan 8, 2015

stevendaryl

Staff Emeritus
How did you get that? Take your equation, $t' = \gamma (t - \frac{vx}{c^2})$ and replace $x$ by $v t$.

5. Jan 8, 2015

CGM

Never mind I did something silly.
So 0=y(x-vt) => x=vt

t'=y(t-(v/t)^2 . t)

6. Jan 8, 2015

stevendaryl

Staff Emeritus
I'm afraid you did something silly again. If you start with $t' = \gamma (t - \frac{vx}{c^2})$ and substitute $x=vt$, you get: $t' = \gamma (t - \frac{v^2 t}{c^2})$. Now factor out a factor of $t$ from the right-hand side, and remember what $\gamma$ is.

7. Jan 9, 2015

CGM

Yes that's what I said, maybe my notation is confusing.

t'=yt-((v/c)^2)t
t'=t(y-(v/c)^2)

Is this the answer or is there more simplification to be done?

8. Jan 9, 2015

stevendaryl

Staff Emeritus
No, you have the expression

$t' = \gamma (t - (v/c)^2 t)$

Factor out $t$ to get:

$t' = \gamma t (1 - (v/c)^2)$

Now, if you remember what the definition of $\gamma$ is, you can write $1-(v/c)^2 = 1/\gamma^2$

9. Jan 9, 2015

CGM

Ah yes, I see my mistake. Thank you.

t'=t/y