FYKOS Year 33 Series 1 Problem 5 — generally relativistic · FYKOS 33 #33.1.5

Physics · mechanics · electromagnetism

Problem

Before he set off on his flight towards Mars, the Starman in his Tesla Roadster arranged with Musk that once he reaches the distance r=5⋅106 kmr=5\cdot 10^{6}\,\mathrm{km} from the centre of mass of the Earth, Musk will shine a powerful green laser at him. The wavelength of the laser increases under the influence of the gravitational field of Earth. Compare this change of the wavelength to the electromagnetic Doppler effect. Study each of these effects separately. Assume that the Starman is moving away from Earth with velocity v=4 km⋅s−1v=4\,\mathrm{km\cdot s^{-1}}.

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