Mirror 4-Momentum: Find Frequency Change on Reflection

  • Thread starter Thread starter SHawking01
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    4-momentum Mirror
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on a physics problem involving a moving mirror and the reflection of light. It explores the relationship between the angle of incidence and reflection, specifically asking for the calculation of cos φ and the frequency change of light upon reflection. The participant attempts to derive the 4-momentum of the light before and after reflection, noting that in the mirror's rest frame, the angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence without a frequency shift. Ultimately, the participant finds guidance from a teacher to resolve the problem. The thread highlights the complexities of relativistic effects on light reflection.
SHawking01
Messages
13
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A mirror moves perpendicular to its plane with speed βc. A light ray is incident on the mirror from the “forward” direction (i.e., vm · vl < 0, where vm is the mirror’s 3-velocity and vl is the light ray’s 3-velocity) with incident angle θ (measured with respect to the mirror’s normal vector). (a) Find cos φ, where φ is the angle of reflection. (b) By what factor does the frequency of the light change upon reflection?

Homework Equations



None that I know of.

The Attempt at a Solution


P~ in = E c (sin θin , − cos θin , 0 , 1)
P~ ′ in = E c [γ(sin θin − β) , − cos θin , 0 , γ(1 − β sin θin)]
I don't know what else.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What happens in the mirror rest frame when the light is reflected?
 
In the rest frame of the mirror the angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence and there is no frequency shift.
 
So what will be the 4-momentum of the light after reflection?
 
Well, I went to my teacher and found the answer. But thanks for your help anyways!
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging 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...
Back
Top