Can Time Dilation Help Break the 100m Dash Record?

In summary, an athlete wants to set a world record for the 100m dash by having their time taken by an observer on a moving spacecraft. This is based on the understanding that the time measured from the Earth will be greater than the time measured on the spacecraft due to time dilation. It is suggested to have a background knowledge of time dilation and length contraction before attempting this problem. The time measurement will be taken using a clock on the spacecraft.
  • #1
jinksys
123
0

Homework Statement


An athlete has learned enough physics to know that if he measures from the Earth a time interval on a moving spacecraft , what he finds will be grater than what somebody on the spacecraft would measure. He therefore proposes to set a world record for the 100m dash by having his time taken by an observer on a moving spacecraft . Is this a good idea?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



An athlete has learned enough physics to know that if he measures from the Earth a time interval on a moving spacecraft , what he finds will be grater than what somebody on the spacecraft would measure.

WUT?
 
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  • #2
To do this problem, first you need to have some understanding about time dilation and length contraction. It would be a good idea to get background information up on these subjects. That's wut.
 
  • #3
kuruman said:
To do this problem, first you need to have some understanding about time dilation and length contraction. It would be a good idea to get background information up on these subjects. That's wut.

Is the observer on the ship taking the time measurement using a clock on the ship or a clock on the ground?
 
  • #4
The observer on the ship measures time with a clock that is at rest with him/her.
 

What is time dilation?

Time dilation is a phenomenon in which time appears to pass more slowly for an object in motion compared to an object at rest. This is due to the effect of velocity on time, as predicted by Einstein's theory of relativity.

How does time dilation affect the 100m dash?

In the 100m dash, time dilation is not a significant factor as the speed of the runners is not great enough to cause a noticeable difference in time. However, if the runners were traveling at much higher speeds, the effect of time dilation would become more apparent.

Can time dilation be observed in everyday life?

Yes, time dilation is actually a commonly observed phenomenon in our daily lives. GPS satellites, for example, have to take into account the effects of time dilation due to their high speeds in orbit. Similarly, astronauts in space experience time dilation due to their high velocities.

What is the formula for calculating time dilation?

The formula for calculating time dilation is t' = t * √(1 - v^2/c^2), where t' is the time experienced by the moving object, t is the time experienced by the stationary object, v is the velocity of the moving object, and c is the speed of light.

Is time dilation a proven concept?

Yes, time dilation has been proven through numerous experiments and observations, including the famous Hafele-Keating experiment in which atomic clocks were flown on airplanes and showed a measurable difference in time compared to stationary clocks. Additionally, time dilation is a fundamental principle in many modern technologies, such as GPS systems.

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