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Q. 53

Expert-verified
Found in: Page 1061

### Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics

Book edition 4th
Author(s) Randall D. Knight
Pages 1240 pages
ISBN 9780133942651

# The star Delta goes supernova. One year later and away, as measured by astronomers in the galaxy, star Epsilon explodes. Let the explosion of Delta be at and. The explosions are observed by three spaceships cruising through the galaxy in the direction from Delta to Epsilon at velocities, , and . All three spaceships, each at the origin of its reference frame, happen to pass Delta as it explodes. a. What are the times of the two explosions as measured by scientists on each of the three spaceships? b. Does one spaceship find that the explosions are simultaneous? If so, which one? c. Does one spaceship find that Epsilon explodes before Delta? If so, which one? d. Do your answers to parts b and c violate the idea of causality? Explain.

a. The times of the two explosions as measured by scientists on each of the three spaceships are

and .

b. In the second spaceship, the events will occur to be simultaneous.

c. In the third spaceship the second event will appear before the first.

d. No.

See the step by step solution

## Part (a) step 1: Given Information

We need to find the times of the two explosions as measured on each of the three spaceships.

## Part (a) step 2: Simplify

Consider :

First of all finding the time difference for the spaceship:

Now, finding the time difference for the second spaceship:

And at last finding the time difference for the third spaceship:

## Part (b) step 1: Given Information

We need to find that the explosions are simultaneous .

## Part (b) step 2: Explanation

In the second spaceship, the events will occur to be simultaneous.

## Part (c) step 1: Given Information

We need to find that Epsilon explodes before Delta .

## Part (c) step  2: Explanation

While in the third spaceship the second event will appear before the first.

## Part (d) step  1: Given Information

wee need to explain answers to parts b and c that violate the idea of causality.

## Part (d) step  2: Explanation

No, our answers to parts b and c don't violet the ideas of causality.