(a) In Ex. 12.6 we found how velocities in thex direction transform when you go from Sto S. Derive the analogous formulas for velocities in the y and z directions.

(b) A spotlight is mounted on a boat so that its beam makes an angleθ with the deck (Fig. 12.20). If this boat is then set in motion at speedv, what angleθ does an individual photon trajectory make with the deck, according to an observer on the dock? What angle does the beam (illuminated, say, by a light fog) make? Compare Prob. 12.10.

Short Answer

Expert verified

(a) The analogous formulas for velocities in the y and z directions are u'y=uyγ1-vc2uxandu'z=uzγ1-vc2uxrespectively.

(b) The angle of an individual photon on the dock and on the beam is .

tanθ'=sinθγcosθ+vc.

Step by step solution

01

Expression for the Lorentz transformation equation:

Let’s assumeS be the frame of reference of a boat,S'be the frame of the observer, dybe the distance in frame S and dtbe the time interval.

Write the expression for the Lorentz transformation equation based on the assumed data.

dt'=γ(dt-vc2dx)

Here, v is the velocity of the particle, x is the displacement, and c is the speed of light.

02

Determine the analogous formulas for velocities in the y and z directions:

(a)

Express the equation when the particles move with respect to the frame along the y-direction.

dy'dt'=dyγdt-vc2dxdy'dt'=dyγdt1-vc2dxdt …… (1)

Write the expression for the instantaneous speed of a particle along the x-direction.

ux=dxdt

Substitutedy'dt'=u'y,dy=uyand dxdt=ux in equation (1) to form the analogous formula for velocity in the y-direction.

u'y=uyγ1-vc2ux

Substitute dy'dt'=u'z,dy=uzand dxdt=uxin equation (1) to form the analogous formula for velocity in the z-direction.

u'z=uzγ1-vc2ux

Therefore, the analogous formulas for velocities in the y and z directions are u'y=uyγ1-vc2uxand u'z=uzγ1-vc2uxrespectively.

03

Determine the angle made by photon trajectory with the deck and with the beam:

(b)

Write the expression for the angle made by the observer on the deck.

tanθ'=-u'yu'x …… (2)

Here,u'xis the instantaneous speed of a particle along the x-direction with respect to S'frame of reference, which is given as:

u'x=dx'dt …… (3)

Here, dx'is the distance moved by boat in S'frame of reference.

Express the equation when the particles move with respect to the frame along the x-direction using the Lorentz transformation equation.

dx'=γdx-vdtdt'=γdt-vc2dx

Substitutedx'=γdx-vdt,dt'=γdt-vc2dxandux=dxin equation (3).

u'x=γd-vdtγdt-vc2dxu'x=ux-v1-vc2ux

Substitute u'x=ux-v1-vc2uxandu'y=uyγ1-vc2uxin equation (2).

tanθ'=uyγ1-vc2uxux-v1-vc2uxtanθ'=-uyγux-v

Here, uy=csinθandux=-ccosθ

Hence, the above equation becomes,

tanθ'=-csinθγ-ccosθ-vtanθ'=sinθγcosθ+vc

From problem 12.10, the result was obtained astanθ'=γsinθ'cosθ' which is the only case of velocity.Still, in this problem, the speeds are sensitive to the transformation of distances and times, which is the only reason there is no universal rule for translating angles. One must know whether it’s an angle made by a velocity vector or a position vector.

As the beam is made with many different photons at one instant time, it transforms the same way the mast does.

Therefore, the angle of an individual photon on the dock and on the beam istanθ'sinθγcosθ+vc.

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