Trusted by Students Everywhere
Why Choose Us?
0% AI Guarantee

Human-written only.

24/7 Support

Anytime, anywhere.

Plagiarism Free

100% Original.

Expert Tutors

Masters & PhDs.

100% Confidential

Your privacy matters.

On-Time Delivery

Never miss a deadline.

A red light flashes at position xR = 3

Physics Oct 06, 2020

A red light flashes at position xR = 3.00 m and time tR = 3.00 x 10-8 s and a blue light flashes at xB = 9.0 m and time tB = 4.80 x 10-8 s. (All values are measured in the S reference frame.) Reference frame S' moves constantly to the right. Both flashes are observed to occur at the same time in S'.
a. Find the relative velocity between S and S'.
b. Find the time of the two flashes in frame S'.
c. Find the locations of the two flashes in the S' frame.

Expert Solution

An event that happens at time t and position x in S happens at time t' and position x' in S' where:

x' = gamma [x-vt] (1)

t' = gamma [t-vx/c^2] (2)

where

gamma = 1/sqrt[1-v^2/c^2]

Here it is assumed that at time t = 0, the origins of the coordinate systems S and S' coincide and that the clocks of both systems are set equal.

Using (2) you can relate the time difference of two events in S' to the difference in position and time of the events in S:

delta t' = gamma [delta t - v/c^2 delta x]

If delta t' = 0, then:

v = c^2 delta t/delta x

If you insert in here the time differences and spatial distances between the two light flashes, you find:

v = 0.899 c =2.696*10^8 m/s

gamma = 2.2874

and the events in S' have the coordinates:

x_{R}' = gamma [x_{R} - vt_{R}] = -11.64 m

t_{R}' = gamma [t_{R} - v/c^2 x_{R}] = 4.804*10^(-8)s

x_{B}' = gamma [x_{B} - vt_{B}] = -9.017 m

t_{B}' = gamma [t_{B} - v/c^2 x_{B}] = 4.804*10^(-8)s

Archived Solution
Unlocked Solution

You have full access to this solution. To save a copy with all formatting and attachments, use the button below.

Already a member? Sign In
Important Note: This solution is from our archive and has been purchased by others. Submitting it as-is may trigger plagiarism detection. Use it for reference only.

For ready-to-submit work, please order a fresh solution below.

Or get 100% fresh solution
Get Custom Quote
Secure Payment