Relativistic Doppler Shift and a Star breaking up

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the velocities and angles of two remnants from a star that breaks apart, emitting light at frequencies of 7.135 x 1014 Hz and 4.282 x 1014 Hz, while the original star emitted light at 6.690 x 1014 Hz. The participants utilized the relativistic Doppler shift equations, specifically v' = v γ [1 - β cos θ] and v' = v √((1 + β)/(1 - β)), to derive the speed of the remnants as 0.235c and β as 0.47. They encountered challenges in determining the angles between the remnants and the line of sight, leading to discussions about the relationship between speed and angle, ultimately concluding that the data provided may contain inconsistencies that prevent a valid solution.

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  • #31
Yes. That's the one you want.
 
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  • #32
So for Remnant A, the equation is:

(4.282*10^{14}) = (6.690*10^{14}) \gamma [1 - \beta cos \theta]

And for remnant B:

(7.135*10^{14}) = (6.690*10^{14}) \gamma [1 + \beta cos (\theta)]

TFM
 
  • #33
Good. Now combine and solve for \cos\theta and \beta.
 
  • #34
I've canceled them down to:

Remnant A:

\beta cos(\theta) = 1 - 0.648\gamma

Remnant B:

\beta cos (\theta) = 1.0665 \gamma - 1

Does this look right?

TFM
 
  • #35
There are many ways to combine these equations. (I didn't check your arithmetic.)

However, there seems to be a problem with the data. There doesn't seem to be a solution for the given numbers. Unless I'm making an error, I'd say there's a mistake in the supplied data.
 
  • #36
to find beta would you do:

\beta = \frac{1 - 0.648\gamma}{cos\theta}

and

\beta = \frac{1.0665 \gamma - 1}{cos \theta}

and equate to get:

\frac{1 - 0.648\gamma}{cos\theta} = \beta = \frac{1.0665 \gamma - 1}{cos \theta}

Also, what seems to be the problem with the data?

TFM
 
  • #37
Don't forget to express \gamma in terms of \beta.
TFM said:
Also, what seems to be the problem with the data?
Solve for \beta and see.
 
  • #38
How am I going so far:

\frac{1 - 0.648\gamma}{cos\theta} = \frac{1.0665 \gamma - 1}{cos \theta}

Times both sides by cos theta

1 - 0.648\gamma = 1.0665 \gamma - 1

Put Gamma in:

1 - \frac{0.0648}{\sqrt{1 - \beta^2}} = \frac{1.0665}{\sqrt{1 - \beta^2}} - 1

2 - \frac{0.0648}{\sqrt{1 - \beta^2}} = \frac{1.0665}{\sqrt{1 - \beta^2}}

rearrange:

2 = \frac{1.0665}{\sqrt{1 - \beta^2}} + \frac{0.0648}{\sqrt{1 - \beta^2}}

How does this look?

TFM
 
  • #39
2 = \frac{1.0665}{\sqrt{1 - \beta^2}} + \frac{0.0648}{\sqrt{1 - \beta^2}}

Which goes to

2 = \frac{1.1313}{\sqrt{1 - \beta^2}}

Does this look okay so far?

TFM
 
  • #40
TFM said:
I've canceled them down to:

Remnant A:

\beta cos(\theta) = 1 - 0.648\gamma

Remnant B:

\beta cos (\theta) = 1.0665 \gamma - 1

Does this look right?

TFM
Redo these. I don't see how you got these from the equations in post #32.
 
  • #41
Remnant A:

4.282*10^{14} = (6.690*10^{14})\gamma(1-\beta cos\theta)

\frac{ 4.282*10^{14}}{(6.690*10^{14})\gamma} = 1 - \beta cos\theta

\frac{ 4.282*10^{14}}{(6.690*10^{14})\gamma} - 1 = -\beta cos\theta

-(\frac{ 4.282*10^{14}}{(6.690*10^{14})\gamma} - 1)/ \beta = cos\theta

Remnant B:

7.135*10^{14} = (6.690*10^{14})\gamma(1+\beta cos\theta)

\frac{7.135*10^{14}}{(6.690*10^{14})\gamma} = 1+\beta cos\theta

\frac{7.135*10^{14}}{(6.690*10^{14})\gamma} - 1 = \beta cos\theta

(\frac{7.135*10^{14}}{(6.690*10^{14})\gamma} - 1)/ \beta = cos\theta

So:

(\frac{7.135*10^{14}}{(6.690*10^{14})\gamma} - 1)/ \beta = -(\frac{ 4.282*10^{14}}{(6.690*10^{14})\gamma} - 1)/ \beta

How does this look so far?

TFM
 
  • #42
It looks OK to me, so long as you realize that \gamma is a function of \beta.
 
  • #43
So

\frac{7.135*10^{14}}{(6.690*10^{14})\gamma} - 1)/ \beta = -(\frac{ 4.282*10^{14}}{(6.690*10^{14})\gamma} - 1)/ \beta

This is the same as:

\beta( \frac{7.135*10^{14}}{(6.690*10^{14})\gamma} - 1)) = -\beta(\frac{ 4.282*10^{14}}{(6.690*10^{14})\gamma} - 1)

And

\gamma = \frac{1}{1-\beta^2}

So

\beta( \frac{7.135*10^{14}}{(6.690*10^{14})(\frac{1}{1-\beta^2})} - 1)) = -\beta(\frac{ 4.282*10^{14}}{(6.690*10^{14})(\frac{1}{1-\beta^2})} - 1)

TFM
 
  • #44
Thus goes to:

\beta( \frac{7.135*10^{14}}{((\frac{6.690*10^{14}}{1-\beta^2})} - 1)) = -\beta(\frac{ 4.282*10^{14}}{)(\frac{6.690*10^{14}}{1-\beta^2})} - 1)

Edit sorry, brackets slightly weong:

\beta( \frac{7.135*10^{14}}{(\frac{6.690*10^{14}}{1-\beta^2})} - 1)) = -\beta(\frac{ 4.282*10^{14}}{(\frac{6.690*10^{14}}{1-\beta^2})} - 1)


Okay so far?

TFM
 
  • #45
Looks OK, but please simplify. To start, you can:
(1) Cancel the \betas on the outside.
(2) Cancel the exponents.
 
  • #46
So, cancels:

\frac{7.135}{(\frac{6.690}{1-\beta^2})} - 1 = -\beta(\frac{ 4.282}{(\frac{6.690}{1-\beta^2})} - 1)

Look Okay?

Edit: missed a beta, sorry

\frac{7.135}{(\frac{6.690}{1-\beta^2})} - 1 = -\frac{ 4.282}{(\frac{6.690}{1-\beta^2})} - 1

TFM
 
  • #47
TFM said:
\frac{7.135}{(\frac{6.690}{1-\beta^2})} - 1 = -\frac{ 4.282}{(\frac{6.690}{1-\beta^2})} - 1
Check signs on the right hand side.
 
  • #48
Where is the wrongsign, because it seems to still kepp with:

\frac{7.135*10^{14}}{(6.690*10^{14})\gamma} - 1)/ \beta = -(\frac{ 4.282*10^{14}}{(6.690*10^{14})\gamma} - 1)/ \beta

?

TFM
 
  • #49
-(a - 1) \ne -a - 1
 
  • #50
\frac{7.135}{(\frac{6.690}{1-\beta^2})} - 1 = -\frac{ 4.282}{(\frac{6.690}{1-\beta^2})} + 1

Is this correct?

TFM
 
  • #51
Looks OK.
 
  • #52
So now:

\frac{7.135}{(\frac{6.690}{1-\beta^2})} = -\frac{ 4.282}{(\frac{6.690}{1-\beta^2})} + 2

And:

((1-\beta^2) \frac{7.135}{6.690})}) = -((1-\beta^2)(\frac{ 4.282}{6.690}) + 2

Does this look okay?

TFM
 
  • #53
Sure. But let's not go through each step. Take it home. Isolate (1 - \beta^2), then solve for \beta. (Show each step, but don't wait for confirmation before continuing.)
 
  • #54
Rght, so

((1-\beta^2) \frac{7.135}{6.690})}) + ((1-\beta^2)(\frac{ 4.282}{6.690}) = 2

Putting the 1 + beta squared on top:

\frac{7.135(1-\beta^2)}{6.690})} + \frac{(1-\beta^2)4.282}{6.690} = 2

Add together:

\frac{7.135(1-\beta^2) + (1-\beta^2)4.282}{6.690})} = 2

Times by 6.690

7.135(1-\beta^2) + (1-\beta^2)4.282 = 2*6.69

11.417(1-\beta^2) = 13.38

So

1-\beta^2 = 13.38/11.417

1-\beta^2 = 1.172

1 = 1.172 + \beta^2

\beta^2 = 1-1.172

\beta^2 = -0.17

I have I done something wrong? you cannot square root a negative number?

TFM
 
  • #55
TFM said:
I have I done something wrong? you cannot square root a negative number?
Remember what I said (in post #35) about there being something wrong with the data? That's what I'm talking about.
 
  • #56
Would the best thing to do in this case be remove the minus sign, and then indicate on my work I have done so and the reason why?

TFM
 
  • #57
TFM said:
Would the best thing to do in this case be remove the minus sign, and then indicate on my work I have done so and the reason why?
What would be the reason why?

I would present your work clearly (and concisely) and show that it leads to impossible results, which indicates that the problem is flawed. (If your instructor thinks the problem is OK, then I'd like to see his solution.)
 
  • #58
Well, the question is worth ten marks, so I thought just make it a magnitude (by squaring then square rooting the negative number) , so that you can still get a answer, but if you think it would be better to leave it as it is, I will do so.

Thanks,

TFM
 
  • #59
Hey,

I was reading this thread and spotted this,

TFM said:
So


\gamma = \frac{1}{1-\beta^2}


TFM

I've probably missed something but shouldn't this be,

\gamma^{2}=\frac{1}{1-\beta^{2}}

or

\gamma = \sqrt{\frac{1}{1-\beta^2}}
 
  • #60
Vuldoraq said:
Hey,

I was reading this thread and spotted this,



I've probably missed something but shouldn't this be,

\gamma^{2}=\frac{1}{1-\beta^{2}}

or

\gamma = \sqrt{\frac{1}{1-\beta^2}}
Absolutely. Good catch!
 

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