Relativity physics homework problem

AI Thread Summary
To solve the problem, the Lorentz transformation formula for time must be applied to relate the time experienced by the astronauts on the spaceship to the time measured on Earth. The astronauts want to complete an 8 light-year round trip in one year of their time, which requires calculating the necessary speed of the spaceship using the equation for relativistic time dilation. Setting the time for the trip, 8 light-years divided by velocity (v), equal to the time experienced on the ship allows for solving for v. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the Lorentz factor in this context. Ultimately, the calculations will reveal the required speed for the spaceship to meet the astronauts' timeline.
matt14690
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
A 1000m long and 200m wide (when at rest) spaceship equipped with a chronometer is sent on a roundtrip
to their Galactic Base, 8 light years away.
(a) Astronauts start the trip after celebrating their captains 29th birthday and they want to make a round
trip and return to Earth on the eve of the captains 30th birthday. The ship travels with a constant velocity.
Calculate the required speed of the spaceship.
(b) According to the clocks on Earth, how long does this trip take?


Need help with the process to follow for (a)
 
Physics news on Phys.org


Use the Lorentz tranformation formula for time to determine, in terms of the velocity relative to earth, v, how much "earth time" will be required if the trip to one year in "ship's time". Set that equal to 8 lightyears/v and solve the equation for v.
 


You'll want to look at relativistic time dilation, according to the Lorentz factor. Once you've looked at this, have a go at a calculation.

EDIT: What HallsofIvy said.

V
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

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...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

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...
View full post »

Similar threads

How Can Relativistic Space Travel Affect Aging and Distance Measurements?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Special Relativity spaceship problem
Replies
1
Views
2K
Calculating Average Speed: Physics Homework Problem
Replies
13
Views
2K
Special Relativity: Length Contraction Problem
Replies
3
Views
2K
Traveling to Planet X in 23 Years: An SR Challenge
Replies
13
Views
2K
Time Dilation, Spaceship Problem
Replies
37
Views
4K
Special relativity homework question time dilation
Replies
5
Views
3K
Why is there a non-physical solution to this problem? (quadratic equation)
Replies
7
Views
3K
Special relativity homework question time dilation
Replies
2
Views
2K
Special Relativity - Velocity transformation problem
Replies
3
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top