Understanding Mechanics and Relativity: Two Problems and Their Solutions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around two physics problems related to mechanics and relativity. The first problem involves a spaceship traveling at a significant fraction of the speed of light and the implications of special relativity on the speed of a laser pulse emitted from the spaceship. The second problem concerns the dynamics of two blocks connected by strings on an inclined plane, focusing on force analysis and equilibrium conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of special relativity on the speed of light and question whether the speed of the laser pulse can be calculated using classical mechanics. There is also a discussion about analyzing forces on blocks in dynamic equilibrium, with participants questioning the application of Newton's third law and the correct setup of force equations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the principles of special relativity and the dynamics of the blocks, suggesting that the tension in the ropes may not be equal. However, there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach to the problems, and multiple interpretations are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the application of fundamental principles in both problems, particularly in relation to force analysis and the behavior of objects at relativistic speeds. There is also a mention of a diagram that is referenced but not included in the discussion.

Pseudo Statistic
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I'm having 2 problems... with two questions...

1) A spaceship travels with a constant speed 0.8c as it passes over Earth; some time after passint Earth, the pilor shoots a laser pulse backward at a speed of 3 x 10^8 meters per second with respect to the spaceship. Determine the speed of the laser pulse as measured by a person on Earth.

What does relativity say about stuff like this involving things traveling at the speed of light? Would it be 0.8 c - 3 x 10 ^8? Or is that incorrect?

2) There's a question with a diagram like this:
http://www.brokendream.net/xh4/diagphys2.jpg
Blocks 1 and 2 of masses m1 and m2 respectively are connected by a light string, as shown above. These blocks are further connected to a block of mass M by another light string that passes over a pulley of negligible mass and friction. Blocks 1 and 2 move with a constant velocity v down the inclined plane, which makes an angle theta with the horizontal. The kinetic frictional force on block 1 is f and that on block 2 is 2f.

Normally I know how to do these questions but I'm having one little problem- how do I analyze the forces on m1 and m2? I mean, since they're moving down the incline at constant velocity, they're in dynamic equilibrium which means the sum of all forces = 0 and in m2's case I'm thinking the forces would be:
m2 g sin theta - 2f - T = 0 ? And on m1, m1 g sin theta - f = 0 and T - Mg = 0? But does m1 or m2 exert a force on the other or something?
I don't know, I guess I never really understood Newton's third law...

Can someone please clarify? Thanks a lot.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Pseudo Statistic said:
I'm having 2 problems... with two questions...

1) A spaceship travels with a constant speed 0.8c as it passes over Earth; some time after passint Earth, the pilor shoots a laser pulse backward at a speed of 3 x 10^8 meters per second with respect to the spaceship. Determine the speed of the laser pulse as measured by a person on Earth.

What does relativity say about stuff like this involving things traveling at the speed of light? Would it be 0.8 c - 3 x 10 ^8? Or is that incorrect?
.

What is the fundamental principle of special relativity? That in *any* inertial frame the speed of light is always equal to c, no?

Pat
 
Pseudo Statistic said:
2) There's a question with a diagram like this:
http://www.brokendream.net/xh4/diagphys2.jpg
Blocks 1 and 2 of masses m1 and m2 respectively are connected by a light string, as shown above. These blocks are further connected to a block of mass M by another light string that passes over a pulley of negligible mass and friction. Blocks 1 and 2 move with a constant velocity v down the inclined plane, which makes an angle theta with the horizontal. The kinetic frictional force on block 1 is f and that on block 2 is 2f.

Normally I know how to do these questions but I'm having one little problem- how do I analyze the forces on m1 and m2? I mean, since they're moving down the incline at constant velocity, they're in dynamic equilibrium which means the sum of all forces = 0 and in m2's case I'm thinking the forces would be:
m2 g sin theta - 2f - T = 0 ? And on m1, m1 g sin theta - f = 0 and T - Mg = 0? But does m1 or m2 exert a force on the other or something?
I don't know, I guess I never really understood Newton's third law...

Can someone please clarify? Thanks a lot.

There are *two* ropes in the problem and the tension in each rope is not (necessarily) the same. Your equation for m2 should be m2 g sin theta - 2f - T_1 +T_2 = 0 and so on.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
nrqed said:
What is the fundamental principle of special relativity? That in *any* inertial frame the speed of light is always equal to c, no?

Pat
So the answer is 3 x 10^8 in this case?
 

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