You are trying to synchronize two clocks A and B. Both clocks are at rest in you
ID: 1359170 • Letter: Y
Question
You are trying to synchronize two clocks A and B. Both clocks are at rest in your reference
frame. A is at the origin, B is somewhere on the positive x axis. You are also on the x
axis, somewhere between A and B, twice as far to A as to B.
(a) You synchronize the clocks using light signals. In your own words, describe the pro-
cedure you perform. Do not make detailed quantitative calculations, only set up the
simple algebraic expressions required, use c for speed of light. Your argument should
be mostly qualitative.
(b) If you were using acoustic signals and (unbeknownst to you) there was a slight wind
blowing in the positive x direction, how would this aect the result of your synchro-
nization procedure?
(c) According to an observer initially at your position and moving in positive x direction,
would your clocks be synchronized; if not, which one would look like it started early?
Explain your answer.
(d) According to an observer initially at your position and moving in positive y direction,
would your clocks be synchronized; if not, which one would look like it started early?
Explain your answer.
Explanation / Answer
Part a
let distance between A and B is 3d then distance of A from you is 2d and distabce of B from you is d
first we send a signal to A it will reach there after time 2d/c
then after time d/c we send a signal to B. so signal will reach both A and B at same time
Part B
if we use acoustic signal and wind blowing from A to B then our result will differ and clock B is ahead of clock A as wind help signal to reach B faster then to A.
Part C
For an observer moving in positive x direction clocks will not be synchronised. Clock B seems to start early as man is moving towards the clock B
Part D
For observer moving in y direction clocks will be synchronised as his distance from both clock remain constant.
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