Introduction to Classical Mechanics · Problem 11.24
Relativity (Kinematics) — Morin
Physics — Mechanics · clapping-both-ways
Problem
Twin A stays on the earth, and twin B flies to a distant star and back. For both of the following setups, draw a Minkowski diagram that explains what is happening.
(a) Throughout the trip, B claps in such a way that his claps occur at equal time intervals Δt in A's frame. At what time intervals do the claps occur in B's frame?
(b) Now let A clap in such a way that his claps occur at equal time intervals Δt in B's frame. At what time intervals do the claps occur in A's frame? (Be careful on this one. The sum of all the time intervals must equal the increase in A's age, which is greater than the increase in B's age, as we know from the usual twin paradox.)