Special relativity of two clocks

  • #1
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Why is it that for two clocks that are synchronised in one frame, S, but not in another, S', is there an offset in the time by a factor of ##\frac{Lv}{c}##, as measured in S'. Where L is the proper length of the body, as measured in S. I'm confused as to why there is not a factor of ##\gamma## here

Many thanks
 
  • #2
Why do you think there should be a factor ##\gamma##? Have you looked at how the relation is derived?
 
  • #3
Why is it that for two clocks that are synchronised in one frame, S, but not in another, S', is there an offset in the time by a factor of ##\frac{Lv}{c}##, as measured in S'. Where L is the proper length of the body, as measured in S. I'm confused as to why there is not a factor of ##\gamma## here

Many thanks
I'm pretty sure the offset in time is Lv/c2, not Lv/c (since obviously Lv/c is in units of length).

Also section 11.3 of this link has a problem that comes up with your Lv/c involving synchronized clocks on a train. It has a nice picture too showing the distance the photon must travel, which gives those two factors.

http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~djmorin/chap11.pdf
 
  • #4
I'm pretty sure the offset in time is Lv/c2, not Lv/c (since obviously Lv/c is in units of length).

Also section 11.3 of this link has a problem that comes up with your Lv/c involving synchronized clocks on a train. It has a nice picture too showing the distance the photon must travel, which gives those two factors.

http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~djmorin/chap11.pdf

How careless of me- I did mean over ##c^2##. Funnily enough, this was the book that caused my confusion. I don't feel like he explains it very well. However, I have since worked it out- so all it good.

Thank you for replying though- it's very appreciated :)
 
  • #5
How careless of me- I did mean over ##c^2##. Funnily enough, this was the book that caused my confusion. I don't feel like he explains it very well. However, I have since worked it out- so all it good.

Thank you for replying though- it's very appreciated :)
Haha no it definitely could be clearer, but it does have a good picture I think.
 

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