Is this correct?"Calculating Time of Astronaut's Trip Across 15 Light-Years

  • Thread starter Thread starter sexy_brittany
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Time
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the total time an astronaut spends away from Earth while traveling to a star 15 light-years away at 0.999c, spending 10 years on the planet, and returning. Key equations discussed include Δt = γ Δt' for time dilation and Δt = γ(1+(1/2)β^2) for calculating round-trip time. Participants emphasize the importance of considering the relative speed of the planet and whether the Earth and exoplanet clocks share a reference frame. The impact of time dilation and length contraction in the astronaut's frame is also highlighted, suggesting the use of space-time diagrams for clarity. The calculations ultimately depend on the relativistic effects experienced during the journey.
sexy_brittany
Messages
1
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


An astronaut travels from the Earth at a speed of 0.999c to a star that us 15 light-years away (as measured by someone from earth). she spends 10 years on one of the star's planets (as measured by someone on that planet) and then returns to Earth at 0.999c. How long has she been away (1) as measured by someone on the Earth and (2) as measured by her?

Homework Equations



Δt = γ Δt'

The Attempt at a Solution



I am trying to measure the time it took for her to go to the planet and come back by
Δt = γ(1+(1/2)* β^2 )
and then the time she spent on the planet counted by someone on the Earth by
Δt = γ Δt'
where ...Δt' = 10 yr ...is this right
and add all the values ...

For the B part I calculated the distance for her in the ship
by L = Lp √ 1- β*β
and based on this new distance did the same calculation as part A ...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
sexy_brittany said:

Homework Statement


An astronaut travels from the Earth at a speed of 0.999c to a star that us 15 light-years away (as measured by someone from earth). she spends 10 years on one of the star's planets (as measured by someone on that planet) and then returns to Earth at 0.999c. How long has she been away (1) as measured by someone on the Earth and (2) as measured by her?
Depends on the relative speed of the planet doesn't it. Can you assume the Earth and Exoplaten clocks share a reference frame?

I am trying to measure the time it took for her to go to the planet and come back by
Δt = γ(1+(1/2)* β^2 )
and then the time she spent on the planet counted by someone on the Earth by
Δt = γ Δt'
where ...Δt' = 10 yr ...is this right
and add all the values ...
In her reference frame, the Earth and the planet are moving at 0.999c, and their distance is contracted.

You should draw the space-time diagrams for each reference frame to compare them.
http://www.physicsguy.com/ftl/html/FTL_part2.html#sec:twin
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Back
Top