# Homework Help: Time Dilation at very slow speeds.

1. Apr 22, 2012

### bayan

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Hi, I have a question which asks me to find the time difference (difference between a stationary frame and one that is moving at 30m/s for 1 hour) it has asked me to use binomial approximation and I am kind of lost as to what I need to do to solve the equation.

2. Relevant equations

τ=τ$_{0}$[1+(v$^{2}$/2c$^{2}$)] obtained from here

3. The attempt at a solution

1hour is 3600S. I know how to do binomial but I can't figure out how to do this one. Any help would be appreciated. I've used excel with a lot of decimal points and got an answer of around 1.8x10^-11 but that answer is not accepted

Last edited: Apr 22, 2012
2. Apr 22, 2012

### phyzguy

I think you dropped the factor of 2 in the denominator.

3. Apr 22, 2012

### bayan

thanks for pointing that out, I have fixed the equation but still have the same problem

4. Apr 22, 2012

### phyzguy

I also got 1.8*10^-11 seconds. I don't know why this is not accepted.

5. Apr 22, 2012

### bayan

Have you used the binomial approximation? if so I will be complaining at uni tomorrow about the damn thing.

It has asked for 3 sig figures and I entered 1.82x10$^{-11}$ and usually it would accept it when its very close.

6. Apr 23, 2012

### bayan

Solved now, problem with the marking system. btw just a typo in my earlier post with 1.82x10^−11, meant to be 1.80*10^-11