Frame is the rest frame of a launch platform

PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Relativity & Gravitation · Special relativity: spacetime and kinematics · Special relativity: spacetime and kinematics

Relativity and Gravitation, Ch The postulates and the Lorentz transformation

Problem

Frame

S

is the rest frame of a launch platform. Frame

S'

is the rest frame of a rocket moving at

v = 0.750c

along the common

+x

axis of

S

; the axes are parallel and the origins coincide at

t = t' = 0

. Both frames are inertial. Take

c = 2.998\times10^{8}\ \mathrm{m\,s^{-1}}

. ((a)) A flash of light leaves the common origin at

t = t' = 0

and travels in the

+x

direction. It passes a marker buoy at

x = 2.00\times10^{3}\ \mathrm{m}

. Find the time

t

of this event in

S

, then its coordinates

x'

and

t'

S'

, and check that the flash also travels at

c

S'

. ((b)) The rocket launches a probe forward along the

x'

axis at

0.750c

as measured in the rocket frame

S'

. Find the probe's velocity in

S

, as a multiple of

c

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