Physics Race to the Stars

Overview This project should give a better understanding of time dilation as described in Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity You will create a calendar of sorts to keep track of departures and arrivals of three different spacecraft travelling different speeds to the same location Teams can have between 1 to 4 members For teams of more than 1, you need to decide who has what responsibility

Scenario An exoplanet has been found that is Earthlike and ready for colonization. The planet is 30 light years away Fortunately, in an amazing turn of events, mankind discovers ways to increase the velocity of spacecraft The first spacecraft that leaves is designed to travel at.5c Ten years later, a second spacecraft leaves which can reach.9c Ten years after that, a third spacecraft leaves which can reach.99c

Scenario, continued Each ship is carrying colonists and crew All of the colonists stay in cryogenic “sleep” for the entire journey The crew rotates to keep a human presence active on the ship For easier calculations, we will assume that acceleration and deceleration are instantaneous, with no ill effects

“All Aboard!” You will need to determine the arrival and departure dates for each ship as seen by Observers on Earth Colonists on the first ship Colonists on the second ship Colonists on the third ship You will then create a poster showing the arrival and departure dates as if you were a travel agent

Looking their age We will also pretend that to get the most out of the colonists and crew, we will send highly trained 18 year olds (18 at time of departure) We will also pretend that the observers on Earth are 18 Due to “cryosleep”, we will pretend that colonists and crew will age at 1/5 the normal rate while in transit As a disclaimer, determine the age of each of the 4 groups when each ship arrives

Hints and tips Until a ship leaves Earth, its calendar will be exactly the same as on Earth Once a ship arrives at the new planet, its clock goes back to the “normal” Earth rate Recommend determining the Earth dates first, then use it to help determine the rest

Poster Make it as a travel-ish poster Make up a name for your planet Include a rendition of what that planet looks like Make up names for the ships