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An observer S sees a big flash of light 1600 m fromhis position and a small flas

ID: 1758111 • Letter: A

Question

An observer S sees a big flash of light 1600 m fromhis position and a small flash of light 570 m closer tohim directly in line with the big flash. He determines that thetime interval between the flashes is 3.69×10-6s and the big flash occurs first. What is , therelative velocity divided by the speed of light, of an observer, S'for whom these flashes occur at the same place in the S' referenceframe? B)From the point of view of S', which flashoccurs first?
C)What time interval between them does S'measure? An observer S sees a big flash of light 1600 m fromhis position and a small flash of light 570 m closer tohim directly in line with the big flash. He determines that thetime interval between the flashes is 3.69×10-6s and the big flash occurs first. What is , therelative velocity divided by the speed of light, of an observer, S'for whom these flashes occur at the same place in the S' referenceframe? B)From the point of view of S', which flashoccurs first?
C)What time interval between them does S'measure?

Explanation / Answer

(a)    from the given we can see that    x1 = 1600 m    x2 = 1600 m - 570 m        = .......... m    so we get that    x = x2 - x1         = ........m    if we set that x = 0 then we getthat    0 = (x - v t)    solve for v then     = v / c (b)    frame S' must be moving in the negativex-direction (c)    the time interval willbe        t' = [t - (v x /c2)]         = ........m    if we set that x = 0 then we getthat    0 = (x - v t)    solve for v then     = v / c (b)    frame S' must be moving in the negativex-direction (c)    the time interval willbe        t' = [t - (v x /c2)]