Calculating Time Dilation: QW Space Station

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating time dilation experienced by a space station moving at 0.01c relative to Earth. Participants emphasize using the Lorentz transformation, specifically the formula Δt = γΔt', where γ (gamma) represents the Lorentz factor. The time measured on Earth (Δt) is longer than the time measured on the space station (Δt'), confirming the principles of special relativity. This calculation is essential for understanding relativistic effects in high-speed travel scenarios.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of special relativity concepts
  • Familiarity with Lorentz transformations
  • Knowledge of the Lorentz factor (γ)
  • Basic mathematical skills for solving equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Lorentz transformation equations
  • Learn how to calculate the Lorentz factor (γ) for different velocities
  • Explore practical applications of time dilation in astrophysics
  • Investigate the implications of time dilation in GPS satellite technology
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Students of physics, educators teaching special relativity, and anyone interested in the effects of high-speed travel on time perception.

kingyof2thejring
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QW the space station is moving at a speed of 0.01 c relative to the earth. According to the clock on Earth , how much longer than one year would have passed when exactly one year passed in the rest frame of a space station?
How do i solve this problem?
thanks in advance
 
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HINT: Use the Lorentz transformation for time.
 
kingyof2thejring said:
QW the space station is moving at a speed of 0.01 c relative to the earth. According to the clock on Earth , how much longer than one year would have passed when exactly one year passed in the rest frame of a space station?
How do i solve this problem?
thanks in advance

As Hootenanny said you may use the Lorentz transformations. Or, in this case, you may as well use directly \Delta t = \gamma \Delta t' (which does follow from the Lorentz transformations).

Patrick
 
yeh
if we define frames of reference,
S: earth
S': space-station
then S' moves at 0.01 c w.r.t. S

start S: x_1=0 t_1=0
S' x'_2=0 t'_2=0
end S: x_1=? t_1=?
S' x'_2=? t'_2=365*24*60

t'_2-t'_1=gamma[(t_2-t_1)-v(x_2-x_1)/c^2
then what happens?
 
Last edited:
\Delta t = \gamma \Delta t'
how does this work?
 
Last edited:
kingyof2thejring said:
\Delta t = \gamma \Delta t'
how does this work?

This is the infamous "time dilation" formula, which gives you the time measured by "stationary" clocks (\Delta t) in terms of the time measured by a moving clock (\Delta t'). In your problem, the space station clock is the moving clock.

In your LT calculation, use the version that gives unprimed coordinates in terms of primed coordinates. Then you'll get the same time dilation formula.
 
kingyof2thejring said:
\Delta t = \gamma \Delta t'
how does this work?
This is called time dilation and as Pat said, follows direction from the Lorentz transformations. You apply this formula in exactly the same way you would a Lorentz transformation, set up your reference frames exactly as before. I.e. S frame is the Earth frame and S' is the space station's rest frame traveling at \beta = 0.01 wrt S. Therefore \Delta t will be the time period as measure on Earth and \Delta t' will be the time period as measure in the S' frame.

Edit: That's twice in two days Doc's beat me to it
 
Last edited:

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