Hints for HW 1
General Advice: The mathematical skills you need for this
problem set include algebra and the Taylor-series expansion for
(1+z)n. Many students have trouble with knowing how to
use a Taylor series expansion. If you are having trouble seek help
on this, as it will come up many times in this course. The physics skills
require you to understand about the space-time interval and how to use
its invariance in solving problems in different frames.
Hints on specific problems:
- Problem 1-10: There is a difference to the calculations
of the time that it takes between events when one is traveling close
to the speed of light versus traveling at the speed of light. Be
careful with how you analyze the situation of an object moving at the speed of
light.
- Problem 1-12: Remember what the definition of velocity is.
Last modified August 11, 2004
Jim Freericks, Professor of Physics,
freericks at physics dot georgetown dot edu