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Lucy\'s rocket and Ricky\'s rocket are inertial reference frames, and Ricky\'s r

ID: 1260801 • Letter: L

Question

Lucy's rocket and Ricky's rocket are inertial reference frames, and Ricky's rocket moves relative to lucy's rocket with a velocity of .800c in the positive x direction.

A small space probe emits a green flash for an instant. This space probe also emits a red flash for an instant,

these two flasehes are both observed in Ricky and lucy's reference frame.

According to Lucy's reference frame the red flash occurs 3.6*10^-6 s after the green flash. According to Ricky's reference frame, the red flash occurs 2.10 * 10^-6 s before the green flash.

a) According to lucy's reference frame, what is the distance in meters between the green flash and the red flash.

b) According to lucy's reference frame, which flash red or green occurs at the greater x position? Please explain

Explanation / Answer

the distance in meters between the green flash and the red flash.is determined by

x=vt

v=relative velocity

Ricky's rocket moves relative to lucy's rocket with a velocity of .800c

A)

=0.8*3*108*3.6*10-6

=8.64*102

=864m

B)

the red flash occurs 2.10 * 10^-6 s before the green flash

=0.8*3*108*2.1*10-6

=5.04*102

=504m