This is similar to a question I posted previously; but hopefully this version is stated more clearly. I know the answer, but the best response deserves 10 pts. anyway.
Two spaceships pass each other at a relative speed of 1/2 c. At the moment they cross paths, they each synchronize their on-board clocks to read "12:00 PM."
The captain of Ship "A" knows that when his own clock reads "1:00", it's only 12:52 on Ship "B", due to time dilation. He can prove this by sending a signal to Ship "B" asking what time it is (and then accounting for the time it takes for the signal to return).
But the captain of Ship "B" knows that when his own clock reads "12:52", it's only 12:45 on Ship "A", due to time dilation. He can prove this by sending a signal of his own.
So here's the question: When it's 12:52 on Ship "B", what time is it on Ship "A"?
2007-07-14
22:12:38
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6 answers
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asked by
RickB
7
in
Science & Mathematics
➔ Physics