Solve Relativity Question: Find Distance Between Events A & B

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving a relativity problem involving two events, A and B, occurring at the same spatial point in frame S, with event A occurring 1.90 seconds before event B. In frame S', event A occurs 2.45 seconds before event B. The key equations used are the Lorentz transformations: x' = gamma (x - vt) and t' = [t - vx/c²] gamma. The solution involves recognizing that since both events occur at the same point in frame S, x can be set to zero, simplifying the calculations for x' in frame S'.

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Homework Statement


In reference frame S two events occur at the same point; event A occurs 1.90 seconds before
event B. In another frame, S′, event A occurs 2.45 seconds before event B. How far apart
are events A and B in frame S′?


Homework Equations


x'=gamma (x-vt)
t' = [t - vx/c^2] gamma


The Attempt at a Solution


I used the aforementioned mentioned Lorentz transformations. I know both T and t'. I'm trying to find x'. So I solved for x in both equations and tried to calculate x' but could not do so. Am I approaching the question correctly?
 
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You can do that, but you don't want to solve for x. In the frame S, to which the coordinate x belongs, the events are at the same point, so you can take x to be zero. You know then x, t, t' and you want to find x'. You have two equations: one that will give you v, and the other can be used to then find x'.

I don't know if you have learned this already, but it may also be useful that in (special relativistically) equivalent frames such as S and S', the quantity
[tex]\Delta s^2 = - c^2 \Delta t^2 + d^2[/tex]
where [itex]d^2 = \Delta x^2 + \Delta y^2 + \Delta z^2[/itex] is the "ordinary" spatial distance given by Pythagoras' law, is a constant. So you could, for example, calculate [itex]\Delta s^2[/itex] in S first and then find [itex]\Delta x[/itex] in S' from that.

If you have no idea what I just said in the second paragraph, please forget it and stick to the first one, that works as well :smile:
 
Thank you so much! I can't believe I didn't realize that x = 0!
 

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