A rocket moves toward a mirror at .8c. My answer conflicts with chegg's

In summary, the problem involves an observer in a rocket moving towards a stationary mirror at a speed of 0.8c relative to frame S. A light pulse is emitted from the rocket and travels towards the mirror, then reflects back to the rocket. The total travel time of the pulse is found to be 1.2d/c in frame S, while using length contraction in the rocket's frame gives a different result. However, the problem can be solved by finding the time and position in one frame and then transforming it into the other frame.
  • #1
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This is an even numbered exercise so I am not able to get confirmation from the book on the correct answer.

Homework Statement



An observer in a rocket moves toward a mirror at speed v = .8c relative to the reference frame S. The mirror is stationary with respect to S. A light pulse emitted by the rocket travels toward the mirror and is reflected back to the rocket. The front of the rocket is a distance d from the mirror (as measured by observer in S) at the moment the light pulse leaves the rocket. What is the total travel time of the pulse as measured by observers in (a) the S frame and (b) the front of the rocket)


Homework Equations


L' = Lp*gamma


The Attempt at a Solution


For frame S:
I started by finding the time it takes the light to travel the distance d. I found this to be d/c. I then found the distance the rocket travels in that time to be .8d. To find the total distance the light will travel I subtracted .8d from 2d and was left with 1.2d. The time it takes, then, for the light to travel this distance is 1.2d/c. Chegg said it was d/.9c

For frame S: I did the same thing only used length contraction to find the distances.
 
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  • #2
You computation is incorrect. 0.8d is how much the rocket moves while the light travels to the mirror. But it keeps moving after that.
 
  • #3
Ahhh true, thanks. How would I find the total time then? Would this work:
.2d = .8c*t + c*t ... solve for t
The distance that will be traveled is .2d, so the sum of the distances must be .2d. (Edited from .2*t)
After I figure this out, can I use the same method, only changing the distances according to length contraction?
 
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  • #4
The equation for the second leg of the journey seems correct. However, I don't understand what .2d*t means.

After you have the time and the position of the return in one frame, you can transform those immediately into the time and position in the other frame. You don't need to redo the entire computation.
 
  • #5
Just fixed the .2d*t to .2d. Thanks a lot.
 

FAQ: A rocket moves toward a mirror at .8c. My answer conflicts with chegg's

How can a rocket move at such a high speed?

The rocket is able to move at a speed of .8c (80% of the speed of light) due to the principles of special relativity which state that as an object's speed increases, its mass and energy also increase, allowing it to approach the speed of light.

Why does the rocket's speed cause a conflict with Chegg's answer?

Chegg's answer may conflict with yours because it may not take into account the principles of special relativity and the effects of high speeds on an object's mass and energy.

How does the rocket's speed affect its perception of time?

As the rocket approaches the speed of light, time will appear to slow down for the passengers on board. This is known as time dilation and is a result of special relativity.

Can a rocket really reach the speed of light?

According to our current understanding of physics, it is impossible for an object with mass to reach the speed of light. However, as an object's speed approaches the speed of light, its mass and energy will continue to increase.

How does the rocket's speed affect its length?

As the rocket moves at such high speeds, its length will appear to contract in the direction of motion. This is known as length contraction and is another effect of special relativity.

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