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ToothandnaiL
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Homework Statement
There are three particles along the x-axis ordered from back to front, A, C, B. A travels at 4/5c and B travels at 3/5c, the speed of particle C is unknown. What must the speed of particle C be such that A and B will arrive at C at the same time? And, at what speed will both the particles approach C?
Homework Equations
(1) Δ(t)= ([Δ(t)]'/[1- (v^2/c^2)])^(1/2) (for time dilation in each reference frame)
>> [itex]\gamma[/itex]= [1- (v^2/c^2)])^(1/2)
(2) u'=[(u-v)/(1- [uv/(c^2)]) (for speeds of particles relative to each other, u' is the modified speed of a relative moving object after special relativity is taken into account, u is the speed presented in the problem without reference to any other moving object or frame)
These are the two equations I have used to attempt this problem.
The Attempt at a Solution
I calculate the speed of particles A and B relative to each other using eq. 2. I split the problem into a reference frame for the A and B particles and a frame for the C particle. I use eq. 1 to account for time dilation and in turn speed differences among the particles. I think I have correctly calculated the speed of A and B to be approaching each other at 5/13 the speed of light. Other than that I have failed multiple times in trying to get the speed of C.
I've even gone as far as to assign a random length to the configuration of particles in order to have some concrete values to work with, although this shouldn't be necessary. If I know that both A and B are approaching C at 5/13c then I know there is a way to figure the speed of C. I think there is a kinematic aspect that I'm overlooking here. Any and all suggestions are welcome and thanked in advance.
Homework Statement
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
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