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24.12 Lorentz Transformation: Examples
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Module 24: Lorentz Transformation: Examples - Problem 7

Continuing on from the previous problem, now imagine that Bart has two friends, Itchy and Scratchy, equidistant from him at x′=−L′/2x^\prime=-L^\prime /2 and x′=L′/2x^\prime=L^\prime /2, respectively, who set off their own firecrackers when the light from Bart’s firecracker reaches them. As this is happening, Lisa races by Bart on her own skateboard at speed ww in the positive x′x^\prime-direction.

  1. 1. Question

    Lisa claims that Itchy's and Scratchy's firecrackers do not go off at the same time. Calculate the time difference between the explosions from Lisa's perspective.

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  2. 2. Question

    From Lisa's perspective, which explosion happened first? For practice, don't just answer the question, but instead redo the calculation from the first part of the problem using the Lorentz Transformation.

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  3. 3. Question

    If Lisa were moving with speed ww in the opposite direction, what would be the time difference between the explosions, and which would happen first?

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