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22.9 Clocks in Motion: Examples
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Module 22: Clocks in Motion: Examples—Problem 2

This problem focuses on a simple scenario we introduced earlier in the course that allows us to understand explicitly how two observers moving relative to one another will nevertheless agree that the speed of the light fired from one of their lasers has speed cc, independent of their relative motion. (You will see in the final part of the problem how one observer’s claim that the clocks in a moving frame are out of synchronization is central to the analysis.)

  1. 1. Question

    Imagine that George fires a laser toward Gracie, who he says is at a distance LL (at the moment he fired the laser) and is running away with speed vv. According to George, how long does the laser light take to reach Gracie?

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  2. 2. Question

    According to George, where is Gracie located when the laser reaches her?

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  3. 3. Question

    According to Gracie, how far away is George when he fires the laser?

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  4. 4. Question

    According to Gracie, how long does the laser light take to reach her? Notice that with the answer to part (c) Gracie calculates the laser light's speed to be cc.

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