S.R. homework

1.  Find the Lorenz factors for these speeds:

a.  0.1 c
b.  0.9 c
c.  0.999 c

2.  Consider the Twin Paradox.

Two twins, Stacey and Spacey, perform an experiment.  Stacey stays put on Earth, while Spacey travels (at 0.9 c) to the nearby star, Proxima Centauri (4.24 light years away).

a.  How long does it take Spacey to get to PC and back to Earth, assuming she does not stop (but only turns around)?

b.  How old is Stacey upon Spacey's return to Earth?

c.  How short is the distance to PC, according to Spacey (and her spaceship's odometer)?  If you like, see the notes below (even though we didn't get to length contraction).

3.  If you have time:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_relativity

Read up until this part:

Reference frames, coordinates and the Lorentz transformation