A source of light pulses moves with speed v directly away from an observer at rest in an inertial frame. Let Δt_e be the time between the emission of pulses, and Δt_o be the time between their reception at the observer. Show that Δt_o=Δt_e+vΔt_e.

Blaine Ortega

Blaine Ortega

Open question

2022-08-19

A source of light pulses moves with speed v directly away from an observer at rest in an inertial frame. Let Δ t e be the time between the emission of pulses, and Δ t o be the time between their reception at the observer. Show that Δ t o = Δ t e + v Δ t e .
Based on my understanding of special relativity, the space-time interval between two events as measured from two inertial frames of reference should be the same. Therefore,
Δ t e 2 = Δ t o 2 Δ x 2
Δ t e 2 = Δ t o 2 v 2 Δ t o 2
Δ t o = ( 1 v 2 ) 1 / 2 Δ t e
which is not the same relation. What is wrong with my reasoning?

Answer & Explanation

Brooks Hogan

Brooks Hogan

Beginner2022-08-20Added 18 answers

Your answer is right assuming Δ t e is the interval between emission as measured by the emitting source itself. The given answer is right assuming Δ t e is the time between emission as measured by the observer. It seems as though this problem is aiming at a lower level than your current understanding of relativity; you put too much thought into it.

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