Time Dilation spacecraft watches

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem in the context of time dilation, specifically involving two observers: one on Earth and another in a spacecraft traveling at a significant fraction of the speed of light. The problem asks how much time must elapse for the Earth observer before their watches differ by one second.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of time dilation equations and question whether they are using the correct formulas. There is an exploration of the relationship between the speed of the spacecraft and the speed of light, with attempts to reconcile their calculations with the answer provided in the textbook.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their calculations and comparing results. Some participants express uncertainty regarding the correct interpretation of the problem and the equations used, while others offer hints and clarifications to guide the understanding of the time difference between the two observers.

Contextual Notes

Participants note discrepancies between their calculations and the textbook answer, indicating potential misunderstandings of the problem setup or the equations involved. There is an acknowledgment of the complexity of the topic, particularly in the context of modern physics.

crazynut52
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
I have the attached equation
but when I plug it, I don't get the same answer as in the back of the book...

Here is the question

Two observers, A on earth, B in a spacecraft whose speed is 2.0X10^8 m/s both set their watches to the same time, when the ship is abreast the earth.

How much time must elapse by A's reckoning before the watches differ by 1.00 seconds?
 

Attachments

  • equation.jpg
    equation.jpg
    1.8 KB · Views: 784
Physics news on Phys.org
just a quick thought

you do know that the speed of light is normalised to 1

hence if you are traveling at 2x10^8 ms^-1 you are traveling 2/3 times the speed of light hence your speed is 2/3 relative to light

does this help in anyway
 
i understand it is 2/3 the speed of light but am I using the right equation?
using this equation I found that one second passes for A as 1.34 seconds passes to person B. But not sure how the book gets 3.92s as the answer
 
I can't see the equation yet because it hasn't been moderated however if you are using the following equation

1/sqrt(1-\v^/c^2)


then I get the same answer as you 1.34s
 
Last edited:
yes I am using the same equation as you, but the answer in the back of the book is 3.93, not 1.34
 
Hey,
For that question, my answer is 2.93 for A. If the question asks B's time, then I guess it's 3.93... I don't know... xD
 
crazynut52 said:
i understand it is 2/3 the speed of light but am I using the right equation?
using this equation I found that one second passes for A as 1.34 seconds passes to person B. But not sure how the book gets 3.92s as the answer

Here's the point, you are looking for how much time has passed for A when the difference between A and B is one sec. In the example you just gave, A reads 1.34 sec and B reads 1 sec, for a difference of 0.34 sec.

Hint: you are looking for the value of T0 when T1= T0-1
 
or in a different notation,

[tex]\Delta t_A - \Delta t_B = 1 sec[/tex]

You are asked to find [tex]\Delta t_A[/tex]
 
I get it now. Thanks guys I appreciate the help. This semster of modern physics is going to be tough.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
6K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
1K