Observer Sreports that an even occurred on thexaxis of his reference frame at x=3.00×108mat time t=2.50s. ObserverS'and her frame are moving in the positive direction of the xaxis at a speed of0.400c. Furtherx=x'=0att=t'=0. What are the (a) spatial and (b) temporal coordinate of the event according to S'? If S'were, instead, moving in the negative direction of thexaxis, what would be that (c) spatial and (d) temporal coordinate of the event according toS'?

Short Answer

Expert verified

(a) The spatial coordinate according to S'is x'=0.

(b) The temporal coordinate according to S'ist'=2.29s .

(c) The spatial coordinate according toS' moving in the negative direction of xaxis is6.54×108m .

(d) The temporal coordinate according toS' moving in the negative direction ofx axis is 3.16s.

Step by step solution

01

The length contraction equation

The length contraction equation states thatx-vt=x'1-vc2 , where the expression x-vtis equal to the length measured in the inertial reference frame.

02

The spatial coordinate

By using the above given formula, we can calculate the spatial coordinate,x', of the event in the moving observer’s time frame.

Substitute the given values in the above formula:

x-vt=x'1-vc23.00×108-0.400.3×108.2.5=x'1-0.400cc2x'=0

Thus, the spatial coordinate of the event according to S'is0m .

03

The temporal coordinate 

Here, we use time dilation equation,t'=t-xv1-vc2, wheret-xvshows that time measured in the reference frame of inertial observer.

Substitute the given values in the above equation:

t'=t-xv1-vc2t'=2.5-3.00×1080.400.3×1081-0.400c2t'=2.29s

Thus, the temporal coordinate of the event according to S'is2.29s .

04

The spatial coordinate in negative axis 

Here, the observer is traveling in the opposite direction. So, the length contraction equation becomes x+vt=x'1-vc2.

Substitute the given values in the above equation:

x-vt=x'1-vc2

3.00×108+0.400.3×108.2.5=x'1-0.400cc2x'=6.54×108m

Thus, the spatial coordinate according to moving in the negative direction of xaxis is6.54×108m .

05

The temporal coordinate in negative axis 

Here, the observer is traveling in the opposite direction. So, the time dilation equation becomes t'=t+xv1-vc2t'=t+xv1-vc2.

Substitute the given values in the above equation:

t'=t+xv1-vc2t'=2.5+3.00×1080.400.3×1081-0.400cc2t'=3.16s

Thus, the temporal coordinate according to moving in the negative direction of axis is 3.16s.

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