Twin Paradox from Moving Reference Frame- Return Journey

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Twin Paradox as it relates to a ball of mass m moving between two parallel walls, creating a clock for Alice. The time between ticks, observed by Alice, is calculated as ##t_A = 2L/u##. Bob, in a moving inertial reference frame (IRF) with speed v, measures spatial and temporal separations between events using the Lorentz transform. Key equations include ##\Delta x_{12} = \gamma (\Delta x_A - v \Delta t_A)## and ##\Delta t_{12} = \gamma (\Delta t_A - \frac{v}{c^2} \Delta x_A)##, demonstrating the effects of time dilation and spatial contraction.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lorentz transformations in special relativity
  • Familiarity with inertial reference frames (IRF)
  • Basic knowledge of elastic collisions in physics
  • Concept of time dilation and spatial contraction
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of time dilation in relativistic scenarios
  • Explore the concept of simultaneity in different reference frames
  • Learn about the mathematical derivation of Lorentz transformations
  • Investigate the effects of velocity on measurements in special relativity
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Students of physics, particularly those studying special relativity, educators teaching relativity concepts, and anyone interested in the implications of relativistic motion on time and space measurements.

Bob Marsh
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Homework Statement


a) Alice is observing a small ball of mass m in relativistic motion
bouncing elastically back and forth between two parallel walls separated by a distance L
with speed u. After each collision it reverses
direction, thereby creating a clock. What does Alice observe as the
time,##t_A##, between each “tick” of her clock?
(b) Add three events to the space-time diagram: the first when the
ball leaves one side of the box, the second when the ball (first) ar-
rives at the opposite side, and the third when the ball (first) returns
to its initial position. Label the events 1,2 and 3. Connect the events by the world-line
of the ball.
Bob is in an IRF which is moving with speed v in the same direction as the initial motion of the ball. Add this IRF to your space-time diagram. Assume that v<u.
(c) What is the spatial separation, that Bob measures between events 1 and 2?
(d) What is the temporal separation, that Bob measures between events 1 and 2?
(e) What is the spatial separation that Bob measures between events 2 and 3?
(f) What is the temporal separation that Bob measures between events 2 and 3?

Homework Equations


Lorentz transform

The Attempt at a Solution


a) This is easily seen to be ##t_A =2L/u##.
b) This is a triangle connecting events 1,2 and 3.
c) Using the Lorentz transform Bob would measure: ##\Delta x_{12} = \gamma (\Delta x_A -v \Delta t_A)##. Alice measures the spatial separation to be ##L## and the temporal separation to be ##L/u##. This seems correct because if I set ##v=u##, so that I'm in the rest of the ball on its out-going journey, then the spatial separation is ##0##, which makes sense.
d) Using a Lorentz transform: ##\Delta t_{12} = \gamma (\Delta t_A -\frac{v}{c^2} \Delta x_A) = \gamma (\frac{L}{u} - \frac{v}{c^2} L)##. Again checking with the ball's rest frame, I get regular time dilation which makes sense.
e) For parts e) and d) I am not sure how to account for the fact the ball's velocity is now ##-u##. How do I use this information to find the relevant intervals?
 
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velocity reverses but so does the direction of the differential positions so you have a global sign change in the displacements but the magnitudes transform as before.
 
So how would I implement this as equations? Something like the ball travels from ##(L,L/u)## in Alice's coordinates to ##(0,2L/u)## and then transform these points to Bob's reference frame and use the velocity of the ball as seen by Bob? Or is there something else I'm missing?
 

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