12-2-2013, 12:33 AM | #1 |
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Special relativity question - Composition of Velocities
Hey y'all. I'm back again with a physics question. Been a while since I've done special relativity, and I can't wrap my head around this peculiar problem. Let's see if anyone out there has an idea:
Spaceship B sees A move at 0.6c. A sees B as 400m long. What is the proper length of B? What is the velocity of B in the referential of A? I know we must use the composition of velocities, and of course the Lorentz factor, but that's about it. I'm sure the answer is dumb, but I somehow can't find it. Help? (below is the composition of velocities) |
12-2-2013, 12:54 AM | #2 |
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Re: Special relativity question - Composition of Velocities
Wait... is this just utilizing length contraction equations? I have a very strong feeling high school physics are not the answer to this lol
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12-2-2013, 03:53 AM | #3 |
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Re: Special relativity question - Composition of Velocities
Did some reading, take it with a grain of salt. I'm not too sure if you have to prove this first though:
"So for speeds less than the speed of light, the speed of A relative to B equals the speed pf B relative to A" http://physics.stackexchange.com/que...ative-to-light EDIT: if the above is true, then finding the length should be pretty simple using the length contraction formula EDITv2: I haven't taken a single physics course, so I would take anything I say as naive suggestions :P EDITv3: I'd try to see if you get a more credible source or to prove it yourself. It's not wise to just assume things we often take for granted such as communitivity or particular symmetries. EDITv4: I think I've got it: using the composition of velocities: the velocity of ship B from A's viewpoint = f(the velocity of A from B's viewpoint, the velocity of B from B's viewpoint) where f is the velocity addition formula (I substituted fly = B, ship = B, shore =A in wikipedia's example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velocity-addition_formula). Now assuming the velocity of B relative to B is zero (if this is not correct, someone please correct me), we have: the velocity of B from A = f(the velocity of A from B, 0) = (the velocity of A from B + 0) / (1+(the velocity of A from B)(0)/(c^2))) = the velocity of A from B / (1+0) = the velocity of A from B EDITv5: because I have no life, spoiler alert: Last edited by reuben_tate; 12-2-2013 at 04:30 AM.. |
12-2-2013, 06:19 AM | #4 |
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Re: Special relativity question - Composition of Velocities
yeah the first thing is to realize that if B sees A move at .6c, then A will see B moving at .6c.
from there it's simple length contraction
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12-2-2013, 08:55 AM | #5 |
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Re: Special relativity question - Composition of Velocities
Of course, the length contraction equation as well, my bad I forgot to mention it. Haven't read the posts in detail, will do right now. Thanks guys!
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12-2-2013, 09:00 AM | #6 |
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Re: Special relativity question - Composition of Velocities
Omfg you're kidding me! It was only that simple! I at once figured the speed of B relative to itself was 0, but then scratched that idea since I thought it induced a division by 0 in the composition of velocities. I must've been really tired while trying this yesterday. Argh!!
Thanks a lot Reuben for the detailed post, that was excellent and will help me greatly! Last edited by MarioNintendo; 12-2-2013 at 09:03 AM.. |
12-2-2013, 07:30 PM | #7 |
Kawaii Desu Ne?
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Re: Special relativity question - Composition of Velocities
No problem (^)> Like I said earlier though, I haven't taken any physics courses so you'll want to double check and verify everything and to take what I say with a grain of salt.
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