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Homework Help: Relativity question

  1. Sep 21, 2005 #1

    andytran

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    hey


    here is the question,

    suppose an explorer set out on a ship travelling to some stars at a constant velocity of 0.9c. every week mission controller and explorer each transmit status report to each other and acknowledge receipt by transmitting a confirmation signal back

    when does mission control receive the first confirmation signal?

    when does the explorer receive the first status report?

    any suggestions are welcomed!.
    thx
     
    andytran, Sep 21, 2005
  2. jcsd
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  3. Sep 21, 2005 #2

    Source

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    Using your relativity formulas, figure out how far the explorer has gone after one week. Then divide that distance by 186,000 and you'll get how many seconds it takes the message to reach the planet. The reverse trip... I'm not so sure on. If I weren't so focused on other areas of physics atm, I'd be able to help more. Hope I helped some though?
     
    Source, Sep 21, 2005
  4. Sep 21, 2005 #3

    Andrew Mason

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    Science Advisor
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    You have to use the Lorentz transformation to determine the time (t) and location (x) in the mission controller (rest) frame when the confirmation signal is sent. Then, using t = x/c determine when in the rest frame the signal is received and confirmation sent. You then use the reverse Lorentz transformation to determine that time as measured in the explorer's (moving) frame and the explorer's position at that time (relative to the controller but measured in the moving frame). Then, using t'=x'/c you can determine what time it will be received by the explorer.

    AM
     
    Andrew Mason, Sep 21, 2005
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