Special relativity and Lorentz factor problem

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the distance between two particles in different reference frames using the Lorentz factor in special relativity. The initial setup involves two particles moving with the same velocity in frame S, separated by a distance L. The user attempts to relate the distance in frame S to frame S' using the Lorentz transformation but encounters confusion regarding the simultaneity of events. It is clarified that the time coordinates for the two particles differ in frame S due to the relativity of simultaneity, which affects the measurement of distance in S'. Understanding this concept is crucial for correctly applying the Lorentz transformations to find ∆x'.
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Homework Statement



There are 2 particles(1,2) separated ∆x=L moving with the same velocity u_x in frame of reference S , there's an other reference S' moving at v .
I have to calculate ∆x'. GAMMA(LORENTZ'S FACTOR)

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I have done x1=0 when t=0
So for particle 1 x1=ut
Particle 2 x2=L+ut
So ∆x=L=gamma(∆x') , and it's not correct
The solution I have got from class is
X1=x0+ut1
X2=x0+L+ut2
So when I measure the distance between them in S' the solution is completely different, the thing I don't understand is , how t2=\t1 and not t2=t1.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You measure ##\Delta x'## by measuring the difference in ##x'## at the same ##t'##, i.e., simultaneous events in ##S'##. Since the particles are separated, relativity of simultaneity comes into play and what is simultaneous in ##S'## is not simultaneous in ##S##, i.e., you will have different ##t## coordinates if you have the same ##t'## coordinate.
 
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